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THE SONG OF ROLAND

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THE SONG OF ROLAND

TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH VERSE

LEONABD BAœN

. or

NEW HAVEN> YALE UNiyERSITY PRESS

LONDON! HUMPHREY MILFORD

OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

MDCCCCXIV

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HISTORY 1

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An apology for a ner translation of the Song of Roland is
perhaps not unnecessary. Several excellent versions in prose
and verse already exist. It was with no view to supplanting
them that the present volume was undertaken. But the writer
feels certain that a work like the Song of Roland is susceptihle
of many interpretations. Hence he has not hesitated to
attempt one of his own.

It is proper to indicate certain interpolations and certain
deviations from the Oxford text on which the present version
is based.

Laisses CXIIa, CXIIb, CXIVa, CXIVb, CXIVc, CXXVa,
CXXAina, CXXVnih, CXXVnic, CXXVIIId, CXLIVa,
CT-IVa, are supplied from other sources than the basic text,
with a view to filling up certain laciuue in the narrative.

Other interpolations and deviations are indicated in the
notes.

It would be impossible, to enumerate the various kindnesses
shown me by others in carrying out tBîs little adventure. I
take great pleasure in acknowledging my indebtedness to
Professor George Rapall Noyes who suggested this under-
taking, to Professor Walter Morris Hart who made many
crooked paths straight, and to Professor Rudolph St^vill
who encouraged me in difficulty. Finally there is owing to my
father, my mother, and my wife a debt of gratitude not to be
expressed easily or in a preface.

Berkeley, California, 1914.

Digit zed by Google

306409

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INTRODUCTION

In an iUuminating passage Gaston Paris bas paid, once for
ail, his perfect tribute to tiie Song of Roland. "At tbe
^itrance of the Sacred Way," runs his exquisite statemoit,
"where are arrayed the monuments of eight centuries of our
literature, the Song of Roland stands like an arch massively
built and gigantic ; it is narrow, perhaps, but great in concep-
tion, and we cannot pass beneath it without admiration, with-
out respect, or without pride." To one in any way acquainted
with the poem further comment is unnecessary, but the
uninitiated may feel that an elucidation of the beautiful and
imaginative figure is desirable. What is this poem eight
centuries old, written in incomprehensible French, about a
forgotten episode, that it should thus stir the enthusiasm of
a Professor of Mediffival Literature?

The finest and earliest of the Romance Epics deals with the
treason of Ganelon, the brother-in-law of Charlemagne, who,
sent on an embassy by the Emperor to Marsile the King of
Spain, betrayed his nephew Roland, and the army under his
command, to the Saracen. It relates the details of tbe battle
of Roncevaux in which Roland, his comrade Olivier and their
companions fell gloriously, the vengeance which Charlemagne
exacted upon the false Spanish King and his overlord the
Emir of Babylon, and concludes with an account of the trial
by combat which resulted in the conviction and terrible
execution of the traitor Ganelon. These are events of the
poem ; the details one will say of a spirited story, hardly more.

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TÎii INTRODUCTION

But there is far more than that to say. Few men living are

telalified to trace the lineaments of racial and national feeling
thej appear in this epic. But a sketch of the events wlpch
gave rise to the elaborate legend incorporated in the poem
may help us to a kind of comprehension. On the 16th of
August, 778, the rear-guard of the army which Charlemagne
had led into Spain on an expedition, barren of any important
result, was cut to pieces by the Basques in the Pass of Ronce^
vaux in the Pyrenees. In this disaster Hrodland, Count of the
M^ch of Brittany, was slain. So small a spark of fact was
to kindle three centuries later a great flame of splendid poetry.

Presumably the tiny ember was well nursed. It is more
than probable that a popular balladry celebrated the courage
of the brave soldiers who fell in the only great reverse suffered
by the arms of Charlemagne. Evidence is cited by all
authorities to prove the existence of a strong sentiment felt
by the vulgar on the subject within sixty years of the battle.
This being the case, what more natural than a spontaneous
burst of military poetry dedicated to the martyr-soldier, and
enhancing his exploits with every fresh emanation? Such a
folk-song it was doubtless that Taillefer sang at Senlac when
he rode out ahead of the attacking army tossing his sword in
air and catching it again.

But it was for a greater than Taillefer that the task of
raising the subject to its proper dimensions was reserved.
Who he' was we do not know. The internal evidence of the
poem as to his special characteristics is of the most tenuous
sort, yet a few details do appear. Probably he flourished in

1 It Is of course iiii|>ossible to âetermine whether or not the Tlieronld
mentioiied In the lost line of the Song of R«land was the author of the-
poem. As the old story goes, it may have been written by anotber man of
the same name. It Is probable that the matter of the poem is derived

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INTRODUCTION ix

the latter half of the tenth or in the eleventh century. At
any rate iriiat appears to be a reference to Samuel the King
of Bulgaria, -who died in 1014 after a fortj-year struggle with
the Emperor BasU II, would seem to set a limit before which
the poem could not have been written. The linguistic authori-
ties favor the e leven th „century. Again he was probably a
- layman. The hearty contempt which, in spite of a severe tone
^tlfpîety, he expresses for monks in general, tends to prove the
point. Again he was a man of remarkable learning. His
geogr^hical erudition was for the time extraordinary. He
understood thoroughly the parliamentary and legal procedure
of the period, the customs of the assemblies of free nobles, the
manner in which "justice was done by Charles the King." He
was, furthermore, the ablest and most splendid expositor of
what is par e^cdlence the most important idea of the medieval
mind, the idea which was to the eleventh and twelfth centuries
what the theory of evolution is to ours.

The idea of feudalism as it was must not be confused with
the idea of feudalism as the novelists have conceived it. It
was not a social theory commingled of poHteness and barbarity.
Feudalism meant to the era of William of Konnandy an orderly
system, far-reaching and all-embracing. It meant a system
relating man to master and master to Grod. It placed responsi-
bility, it made plain duty, it did justice. Perhaps its methods
were crude and its outlook narrow; but our social iniquities,

from two or more sources. The episode of Ballgsnt ts obviously not •»
traitt with the rest ot the story. However, there Is the strongest reaSMl
for thinldng that no m&tter where he obt&iiied his materials the poem as
we have it la the work of one man.

The attempt to discover various hands In a work concerning whose
composition no external évidence exists seems to me on a par with the
mad hypothesis of those who, not content with fathering all the plays of
Shakespeare upon Francis Bacon, believe tliat he is also to be credited with
woiks as disBiDollu as the Jew of Malta and the Faerie Qumh.

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X INTRODUCTION

are they more courageously faced today? Our statesmen, are
they more far-sighted? The spirit of this feudalism raised to
its highest power, conceived in its noblest phase, is the inform-
ing spirit of the great poem which we are considering. The
.performance to the uttermost of a feudal duty is the highest
deed a good man can do. Everything is to be sacrificed to this
end. It is on this subject that the poet is most magnificently
eloquent. And it is as an expression of this misunderstood but
glorious ideal that the poem is particularly interesting.

When the importance of this idea is fully realized it will
perhaps appear more clearly that the Song of Roland is some-
thing more than a striking story. Consecrating the pursuit
of the feudal ideal as it did, it must have become an ethical
force of a positive type. Who can say what France may not
have owed in her stormy formative years to a poem which so
triumphantly celebrated that loyalty and sense of national
unity of which the country stood in such bitter need? Is it too
fanciful to imagine that the Song of Roland received, nursed,
and disseminated the spirit whose purest exponent was to be
Joan of Arc? At all events France owes to her first and
greatest epic the earliest example of that patriotism, that fine
tendency to act as an undivided nation, which has made her
a spiritual leader of the races of men.

Of the poetic qualities of the Song of Roland, the reader
must form his own opinion. M. Legouis in his delightful
Défense de la Poésie Française has described them and our
English debt to them as only a brilliant Frenchman can. The
pleasure in color and light and sound, the fine effects of con-
trast, the human touches which relieve a characterization
tending too much to resemble the rough-hewn sculpture of the
■ period, all these are earnest of greatness. The freshness and
directness of the poet, his enthusiasm and simplicity are

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INTRODUCTION xi

in&iitelj attractive. On the other hand) the reader may find
the repetitiousness and meticulous attrition to inconsiderahle
detail boring to a degree. He inll realize with a pang that
the choosing of the twelve Saracen champions involves a
monotonous series of conflicts with the twelve peers. Nor will
he be indemnified for his long-suffering b; the perpetual
harping repetition on the subject of Ganelon's treachery.

Nevertheless, the reader with patience to endure what was
inexpressibly delightful to the eleventh century, will be repaid
for his complaisance with magnificent pictures of flashing
armies, with the epic revelation of heroic spirits, and flnally
with the sense of having been in the presence of what was
intrinsically majestic, powerful and original.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND

I For seven years together, the Emperor Charlemagne, *^"'°

Our Lord and King, had sojourned within the land of Spain.

From the upland to the sea-coast he had conquered all the land

Nor was there any castle before him left to stand.

There was not town nor bulwark unbroken by his might.

Save only Sarai^ssa that standeth on the height. , ;,,

jng Mars ile held that city, in whom no grace was found \^^ "^
To love his God. He worshipped Apollo and Mahound, ^"^ ^
Nor could shun the evil fortune that beleaguered him around, y " '

II King Marsile of Saragossa to the orchard got him gone.
He laid him down in the shadow on a white marble stone.
About the King were gathered more than twenty thousand men.
His counts and dukes unto Jiim King Marsile summoned then :
" Hearken, my lords, how sorely are we girt with sin and
" woe.

Here now is come King Charlemagne our land to overthrow.
I have no host of battle to meet him in his might.
Nor store enough of henchmen t o beat him in the fight.
Aa wise men give me counsel. Save me from this death and

shame."
None spake save Blanchandrin alone from Val Fonde Keep

that came.

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THE SONG OP ROLAND

III Among the wisest heathen Blanchand rin waa known to be.
And a good yagaal, moreorer, and a man of chivalrj.
Cunning he was, and skillful his orerlord to aid,
And he spoke unto King Marsile ;

" Do thou not be dismayed.
But send unto King Charlemagne, the arrogant and strong.
Promise of faithful service and friendship leal a nd long.
Gifts shalt thou send unto him, both dogs and lions good.
And seven hundred camels, and a thousand hawks well mewed^^
With the gold and with the sUver, mules four hundred shalt
And fifty wain s, moreover, to travel on the road, [thou load,
Wherewith to pay his soldiers. He hath warred here long enow.
Unto Ail it behoveth him in the land of France to go.
At Michaelmas thou shalt turn thee to Christ and his belief
To hold in truth and honor of the Emperor thy fi ef^
If for hostages he asketh, thou shalt for him procure
Of our children ten or twenty to make thy faith more sure,
And though thereby he perish, I will send mine own dear son.
Rather let them die straightway than that we should be undtme
In honor and dignity, and go like beggars in the land."

rV Said Blanchandrin, moreover :

** Now by this good right hand,
And by the beard that on my breast is beaten by the breeze,
Soon shall you see the French depart out of our provinces.
They will go back to the land of France and the country that

is theirs.
And when each man among them to his own house repairs.
In Aix, in his own chapel, will sit King Charlemagne.
To Saint Michael will he proffer high festival again.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 8

The day will come ; the term will pass ; no tidings will there be ;
And the King's wrath is terrible, and a proud man is he.
And forthwith from our hostages the heads he will let smite.
' Let them die, so Spain we lose not, the beautiful and bright,
Or erer bitter evil be forced to undergo." [happen so."

Said the heathen : " Lideed the matter, it well might

V Marsile the King had finished his counsel for the day.

And he sununoned Claris de Balaguer and the men of his arraj.

Estramaris and Eudropis his father there appeared.

And Friomos, moreover, and Guarlan of the beard,

And Machiner and Maheu (Machiner's eme was he).

And Joïmer, and Malbien, the man from oversea.

And Blanchandrin, moreover, that counsd they might take.

Ten men of the most villainous he summoned, and he spake;

" Lord barons, unto Charlemagne the King ye shall go down.
He lieth in the leaguer of Cordov ft the town.
Thp hraiK^h^y of ^^h» oljvf! jp t he hffld ye all shall bear
Thatvom- gonH \yi ll and submission to tht! Ell ïpëro r sha ll

"Sftchiré.
An d if throuf^h your g ood co unsel ye may achieve a peace,
I will fgve ygp jgfs an ^_fli aple lands, as much iÎ8~Totr shall
And eoQu^ of gold a^iailver." ~~ f^ptxeae^

Then said the heathen men:

" Enough we have already." He closed the council then.

VI But he said onto his henchmen :

" My barons, ye must fare.
And in your hands the branches of the olive ye must bear.

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4 THE SONG OF ROLAND

Ye shall c on j ure t he Emperor, when ye speak to him for me,
That on me he have merdy for his God's clemency.
The month shall not pass over, ere unto him again
I shall follow my embassadors with a thousand faithful men.
I will be baptized his man to be in friendship and in truth.
And if he will have hostages, he shall have them in all sooth."
Said filanchandrin : "Fair fall thee for the tidings we
shall bring."

VII Ten white mules were led out to them by Marsilies the

King,
The gift of the King of Seville. Their bits were all of gold.
The saddles set upon them were si lver to behold. """~~

They got them straight on horseback at Marsile his command — ■
The branches of the olive they carried in the hand. - [f&ii*.

And they came to Charles who governed the land of France the
Who could not wholly keep himself from falling in the snare.

(VIII The Emperor was merry ; bis heart was ^ad withal.
The town of Cordova was ta'en, and overthrown the wall.
With his catapults the towers he had strongly beaten dowA.
His chevaliers much treasure had taken in the town.

,' Much gold and silver trappings exceeding rich and rare.
And longer in the city no men at all there were

■- That were not slain or Christian. In an orchard Charlemagne
Lay with Olivier and E^and and the nobles of his train,
Samson the Duke and Ansei's the fiery-Eearted one,
And Geoffrey of An.iouj the bearer of the King's gonfalon,
And Gerier and Gerin, and many a knij^t as good.
Pull fifteen thousand Frenchmen were gathered in the wood.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND fl

The cavaliers were seated upon the cushions white.

They were playing at the tables for pastime and delight.

The wiser and the elder at the game of draughts they played;

But the light lads of the army great sport with fence they made.

Under a pine beside a briar was lightly to behold

A high-seat nobly fashioned out of the purest gold.

The re sat the^ng who governed all the sweet realm of France,

White-beardwT'ind with flowery hai^; proud was his counje- /
. nancef

I And fair likewise, and his body was stout and big of bone. /

I To who would look upon him the King was lightly known. /
I And forthwith the embassadors descended from the steed, /

And saluted him in friendship, and bade him wdl to speed.

IX Blanchandrin spoke first to the King. He said:

" Now God thee save.
The glorious whom we must adore. King MarsUies the brave
Putteth this matter to thee. He hath questioned long and well
Concerning the religion that shtill save Him out of Hell.
He would give thee bears and lions, and in leash the grey-
hounds good.
And seven hundred camels, and a thousand hawks well mewe d.
And with the gold and silver, mules four hundred will he load,
And fifty wains, moreover, to travel on the road.
There will be bezants a-plenty of the fair gold and fine,
Wherewith thou mayst pay lightly the soldiers of thy line.
Here ^hast t ho u tarried overlong. ^It-b^i oves th ee to regair
To France, and Marijlt^ MlLlHgww-ahaLI soon pursue ^ tKee there.
Ther e^j^Faithwil l he iake on him . With hands foldea amam
He wilTbe my man and hold of thee in fief the realm of Spain."

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6 THE SONG OF ROLAND

/ Uoto his Grod the Emperor lifted both hands of grace.
Forthvith he lowered his proud head, and the thoughts came

apace.

X The Emperor bent down his browB. No haaty word he
In speech it was his custom his leisure aye to take. [spake.
But lordly was his visage when he lifted up the head ;

And he spake to the embassadors:

*' Now much good have ye said.
But g-^^ftj-fijjp *"r fht; "jiiT'f"ft of m y foemen is renowne d.
UpoiC^^words that_2e b avent wi,1>pat credit may i foung/"
Said theBaracen: ''■~~'^^— — ^''''"**— ^

** Our ho stag es shall make thy trust the more.
Thou sbalt have ten-oT'fiïîë^' "men, or, an thou wUt, a score.
And at the hazard of his life I will send mine own dear son.
The children of our bravest to thee shall be sent on.
And in thy lordly palace, what time that thou sbalt be
On the great feast of Saint Michael-of-the-Peril-of-the-Sea,
There will my pledges follow (this is the word of the King).
At the baths that God wrought for thee will he have his
Then answered Charles the Emperor: [ christening. **

" Yet hope abideth here."

XI Oh, lovely was the vespertide, and the sun sank fair and

clear.
The ten white mules to the stables by Charlemagne were sent.
Within the noble orchard the King let pitch a tent.
And host to the embassadors was Charlemagne that day.
Twelve sergeants of the army, their servitors were they.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND

They bided all the evening till the fair daj i

The Emperor already was risen in the mom,

And had heard mass and mating. 'Neath a pine-tree did he

He called to him his barons to'takehis counsel thelre. [fare.

For he desired unto the Franks the matter to declare.

Xn Beneath a mighty pine-tree the Emperor sate in state.
He summoned there his barons td counsel and debate.
There came Archbishop Turpin ; there, also, Ogier came ;

Old Richard and his nephew that Henry had to name ; ^ -/■^'^ ,
And Accelin the noble count of the land of Ga^conji„ /i^"^^
Tybalt of H heims , and Milon (of Tybalt's kin was he)
And Gerier and Gerin. (With them Count Roland stood,
And Olivier, moreover, the gallant and the good.
Of Franks of France unto the place a thousand men did wend.__
y Ganelon came, the traitor that betrayed his King and frigid.
And there began the council that had so ill an end.

Xni ** Lord barons," said King Charlemagne, *' King Marsile
To give me store of treasure out of his heritage, [doth engage
liions and bears, and greyhounds, well leashed that be and

good.
And seven hundred camels, and a thousand hawks well mewed ;
Twenty-score mules that bear the £old of the Arabian plains,
And therebeside, moreover, full fifty laden wains.
B ut be layet h conditi o, on me, that to France I shall r^air.
Unto All will he f oilow7 and in my palace there " "^
ByBBaJa^Crof «uT^olvation clean chr istened will he be,
And hold in fief his marches a)lU liilTÏIômains of me.

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8 THE SONG OF ROLAND

But I know not what he thinketh, if it be good or guile."

Thereto said the French barons : " We had best ward t he

while.**

XIV The king made clear his counsel unto the barons there,
But Count Roland in the matter would have nor lot nor share.
Up he sprang and gainsaid it :

" Never believe again [Spain.
King Marsile. Seven years are past since first we came to
Constantinople the city, and Commibles the town beside,
Valtierra and the Land of Pine have I conquered far and wide.
Balaguer, Seville, Tudela, I stormed them in my way.
King Marsile will do nothing, but deceive thee and betray.
He sent thee fifteen Fa ynims : they also said the same.
With branches of the olive to speak their word they came.
Thou badest the Franks to council. They charged thee light

enow.
Two counts of thine to the heathen, thou badest then to go.
One of them was Count Basan, the other Basil the Count.
The heathen clave their necks in twain under Haltilie the mount,
'arry out the war. King Charlemagne, in the guise that it
icad on to Saragossa the army of the ban. "^ " [began,

'hough the siege endure thy life-time, undertake it, Charle-
magne,
id avenge thy two embassadors that by this knaye_ were

slain."

XV The Emperor bowed down his head when spoke the

p aladin.

Aye plucked he with his fingers at the beard on lip and chin.

He spake nor good nor evil to his nephew in reply.

The Franks were still. Ganelon rose, and to the King did cry.

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^f^UjLUi^ ■ ill'

0^..^^pyl^L■')/nJ.^.^_/-J

THE SONG OP ROLAND 9

Bat fierily and fiercely Ganelon h is speech began.

He said unto King Charlemagne: / _

" Believe no lawless man,
Nor me nor any other, if no gain to thee it bring.
But, irheii such a thing is promised by MarsiUes the King,
That with hands joined together thy henchman he will stand.
And will receive the whole of Spain for a good gift at thy hand,
And in the pathway of our faith will undertake to go,
Let us reject his counsel, that hath given counsel so.
For Sire, he careth little by what death we shall die.
And the counsel of this arrogance — for us to stand thereby
Would in no way be wisdom, nor just in any guise. _
Let us forsake the foolish and cleave unto the wise."

XVI Neimes came next. At the King's court was better
He said: ry «M ,t d none. ^

" Ye have heard the answer of the Count Ganelon.
And wisdom hath be spoken, but this let all men know :
Marsile the King is beaten in the broad overthrow.
By storm, O King, hast thou taken his cities one and all ;
With thy catapulb. moreover, host thou battered down his

wall;
Thou hast beaten his men in battle, thou hast burned his cities

with fire.
When peace and pity at thy hands King Marsile doth desire.
Sin would it be most certainly that battle should endure.
If he will give thee hostages to make his wg£rajit.sure.
Never must this great war of ours into a greater swell."

Then said the Prankish barons : '* The Duke saith right

and well."

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10 THE SONG OF ROLAND

XVII " Lord barons," said King Charlemagne, ^Srhich one of
' jou shall bring
My message to Saragoasa to Ma rsilie s the Kingf *
Neimes the Duke gave answer:

" I will go at thj command.
The staff of atate and the gauntlet give now unto my hand."
Eiiig Charlemagne said Ttraightway :

" Too wise is thy heart within.
And by the beard u pon my lip and the beard upon my chin,
Thou shalt not in this hour go so far away from me.
Go sit thee down, I prithee, since no man summons thee."

XVin ** Lord barons," said King Chademagne, " say now
which of my men
We shall send to Saragossa unto the Saracen
That ruleth in the city." "^

' Roland his answer gave,
" I will go myself." Said Olivier :

" Too terrible and brave
Is thy spirit. And I fear me thou wouldst have some over-
But if the King desire it right j^adly will I go." ^| [throw.

Said the King: {from my sight.

" Be still ! Nor he nor thou shall go forth
For by this beard of mine ye see that tumeth now to white
A judgement on my twelve good peers most certainly would

faU."
Hushed were the Franks and silent they waited one and

aU.

XIX Turpin of Rheims rose straightway from his station in

And said to Charles the Emperor: [the ranks,

" Let he— let he thy Franks.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 11

Thej have been here this Beven year and suffered pain and iroe.
Give now the g^ve and staff to me. To the Faynim I will go,
The reahn of Spain that ruleth, his purposes to see."
But the Emperor gave answer exceeding angrilj :
" Sit down OQ the white cushion and speak no more this day,
Unless I shall conmiand thee thy counsel here to say."

XX " Ye knights of France," said Charlemagne, " a baron o f

my land
Choose ye now with my message in Marsile's court to stand."
Said Roland:

" Let it be Ganelon that is near kin to me,
My stepfather." Then said the Franks :

" He might do it readily.
An thou send him, thou canst never send a wiser man than he."

XXI Said Charlemagne :'

" Count Ganelo n. ^ow forth before us stand.
The staff of place and ÏIIFgauntletj^âw take them in the hand.
Thou art chosen. By the common choice on thee the lot doth
Said Ganelon: \ [fall."

" This matter Count Roland wrought it b!^J
In no wise do I love him, nor Olivier beside, ^*

(For he is Roland's comrade) nor the twelve peers of thy pride
That love Count Roland. In thy sight do I defy them now."
Said the King:

" Too much of evil within thy heart hast thou.y
But thou must go most certainly because of my command." y/

•* I go ! but lo, I have thereto no warrant to my hand.
Basil and Basan the brothers no warranty had they.

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XXII " And I knoir that to Saragossa I oeeds must take mj
And he who goeth thither retumeth never here. ['"'J*
Ah King, am I not itedded unto thj sister dear,

Bj vhom I have a mtqi-child, and fairer is none than he.
If the lad Baldwin livelh, a hero will he be.
To him I leave my honoVs and all my fiefs likewise.
Look to the lad, for never shall I see him with these eyes."
Said Charlemagne the flmperor:

" Too tender is thy heart.
But since I have commanded it, behoves thee to depart."

XXIII And thereupon was Ganelon troubled exceeding sore.
From his neck he snatched the mantle of marten-f ur he wore.
And stood there in his silk attire. His eyes went to and fro
Proudly. Most splendid was h«^ Portl and his flanks were stark
And all the peers looked on him, so fair he was to see. [enow.
And he said to Roland :

" Wherefore, fool, is this folly come on thee?
jFor that I am thy step-sire li ghtly may all men know.
JYet hast thou given counsel that to Marsile I should go.
/ If but God grant it to me that I come back again,
/ 1 shall attempt against thee what shall bring thee grief and

And shall endure moreover, unto thy life's last tide.** [pain

And the Count Roland answered :

" I have heard folly and pride.

Men know that for this menace I do not care a whit;_

But the bearer of this message should be a man of wit.

In thy place, at the King's pleasure, I will go to compass it."

XXIV But Ganelon gave answer:

" Thou shalt not go for me,
For I am not thy henchman ; nor am I lord of thee.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 18

The Emperor in his service has given me command.
I will go to Saragossa before the King to stand.
Leisure I need, for mine anger is risen high and proud.*'

And when Count Roland heard it, he began to laugh aloud.

XXV When Ganelon saw Roland how loud he laughed and

long,
It irked him. He was like to burst, hia anger was so strong.
He had lost hr "^^in " '■*•**" Unto the Count he said:

" I love thee not. This judgment through thee is on my
Just Emperor, thou seëst here have I come to thee. [head.

To accomplish thy commandment whatsoever it may be."

XXVT The Emperor to Ganelon gave o'er his ri^t-hand

^ove.
But for the pass in which he was the Count had little love.
And when he should have grasped the glove, be let it fall to '

ground.
** Christ God I What evil meaning in the matter may he

found ?

We shall have loss of this embassy," said all the Franks around.

" My lords," said Ganelon the Count, " Of this matter ye

shall know."

XXVn And " Sire," he said to the Emperor, " now give me

leave to go.
Since go I must it were not just here in delay to pine.".

Then said King Charlemagne : " Go forth for Christ his
sake and mine."

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14 THE SONG OF ROLAND

XHe absolved the Count with his right hand, and crossed him
straight thereon.
Letter and stave forthwith he gave to the Count Ganelon.

XXVIII Unto his hall went Ganelon. In coat of mail com-
■ ■ plete

He armed him, and the golden spurg he put upon his feet,
Jlf^An d Murglas, the great waraword, He bdted at his side.
yOn Tachebrun tn e charger h e mounted him to ride.
And Ulllhemer nis uncle ^rth to hold the stirrup stepped.
There might you see good store of knights, despairingly that
And thej said : [wept.

" How evil, Baron, is the lot fallen on thee !
At the King's court well wast thou known a nobleman to be.
And he who wrought that thou shouldst go unto the King of

Spain
Shall not be guarded well enough by the hands of Charlemagne.
NRiiffl^t jl kat.>.Y°'i f "iir*- "^^ipffttiH mip h a matte r to begin.
For thou dost trace thy lineage unto a mighty £m'.*^ [on,"

After they said : ** Now into Spain we pray thee lead us
" It were not pleasing in God's sight," gave answer Ganelon.
" 'Twere better I should perish than in the overthrow
My lads should fall. My barons, to sweet France shall ye go.
Give ye my salutation unto my lady dear,
And likewise unto Finabel who is my friend and peer,
And unto my son Baldwin. Give him your service strong.
Take him for lord."

Forth on his way Ganelon rode along.

XXIX Count Ganelon hath galloped under an olive tall.
The Saracen embassadors were come there one and all.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 15

For to await him, Blanchandnn had tarried there the while.
They spoke unto each other in wisdom and in guile.
Said Blanchandrin: "

" Most marrelltniB is this nian C^rlemagne
He hath conquered all Apulia and the Calabrian^Plain.
He hath passed into England over the fair salt sea.
To the profit of Saint Peter he hath ta'en their trib ute fee.
What seeks this man among us within the m arc h of Spain?"
Said the Count : [him in vain."

" His lust ! Is no man but will fight with

XXX Said the Fajnim: [dukes do ill

" Grentle are the Franks ; but the counts and
Unto their lord, who give him so bad a counsel still,
For he and many others will perish in the war."

Said the Count : [smart therefor.

" Nay, none but Roland ; aud he shall
The King sat yestermorning in the shadow of a tree,
And thither came his nephew. In his hauberk clad was he.
For he had been a-raiding by Carcass op p in the land.
And a Termilion apple he carried In his hand.

' Take it, fair Sire,* said Roland unto his uncle then,
* I will give to thee the coronets of all the kings of men.'
Hi s own pride wi^ jfl-i-ny him. He is given to death each day.
We would haTe peace, if any should hap the man to slay,"

XXXI Said Blanchandrin :

" T his Roland is an evil man withal ,
TSiat of so many nations would make cowards of them all,
Alid their governance, moreover, put to hazard in the fight.
How shall he win this ^ory and by what nation's might P"

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18 THE SONG OF ROLAND

And Ganelon made answer :

" The Franks shall compass it.
They love him so that never will they fail the man a "whit.
Overmuch gold and silver hath Roland given the host. [cost.

And mules and horses and precious cloths and robes of mighty
And h ^ Count RolftT^^ 'a vftlnr^ KinjT Ch ^Tlpa hÎH fp«.]pi h ath ffon.-^
And Roland will win the world for him from here to the rising

XXXII Count Ganelon and the Faynim rode so far along

the way
That they struck their faith together that Roland they might
"" slay.

So hard they rode together the roads and highways through
That at last in Saragossa they lighted under a yew.
There was fashioned a high-seat in the shadow of a pine,
Draped in an Alexandrian cloth, most fair that was and line.
There sat the King that held all Spain, the whole realm far and
By twenty thousand Saracens girt jound on every side, [wide,
Not a sound was there. So eager were those about the King
For the tidings that Count Ganelon and Blanchandrin should

bring.

XXXIII Then Blanchandrin stepped forward before the

King to stand ;
And Ganelon beside him, he led him by the hand.
And he said to the King :

" May now our gods keep thee both safe and sound
Whose holy laws we keep alway — Apollo and Mahound. [ur,
We gave thy charge to Charlemagne that raised his hands in
Praising his God, but answer beside he gave none there.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 17

But to thee a noble baron of hia henchme n doth he send,
A man of France. Moreover he hath honors without end.
To him now shalt thou hearken if we have peace or none." [on."
Marsile the King gave answer : " We hear. Let faim speak

XXXIV Now Granelon had thought thereof and his tale began

to tell
Wisely, as a man who knoweth how to shape his dealings well.
He said to the King :

" Now swiftly may God's blessing light on thee,
The Glorious, whose servants we evermore should be.
For this is the commandment of the Lord Charlemagne :
That thou become a Christian. Of half the lan d of Sp ain
Will he seize thee. The CountTloland oftKe reniniiHrwill he

' seize.

Thou wilt have a partner arroj^ant to share thy provinces. ~
If thou canst not accord thee with the good terms of my King,
His l eaguer round Saragossa he certainly will bring.
Thou shalt be bound and captive in the triumph of his power.
To Aix, unto the high-seat will they lead thee in that hour.
Then shall his condemnation end the glory of thy name.
There shalt thoa die assuredly in villainy and shame."

Then was King Marsile mastered with terror manifold.
Forthwith he seized the j avelin that was worked with yellow

gold,
And would have cast but that his men upon him laid their hold.

XXXV Changed Marsile's color. In his hand the spear
trembled and swayed.
When Ganelon had seen it he laid hold upon bis blade.

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18 THE SONG OF ROLAND

To the length of his two fingers he laid the weapon bare.
And he said unto the sword-blade ;

" How clear thou art and fair !
What though I might have worn thee at the court before this

King,
Ne'er shall the Emperor of France of me say such a thing,
That alone I was defeated within the strange countrie.
Ere that the best of them shall buy their dearest blood of thee."

XXXVI So hard the greatest Faynims besought the King of
That Marsile in the high-seat seated himself again. [Spain
Forthwith spake out the Al galil; ,,

" Thou hast done us all much ill.
Who would have smitten the Frenchman. Thou ahouldst
Said Ganelon: [hearken and he still."

" Ixird, with my place to suffer well may stand.
Yet not for all the gold that God hath fashioned by his hand
To say would I give over, if my leisure be so long,
What command to me was given by King Charlemagne the
That it I might deliver to his mortal enemy." [strong,

j Gtmelon on his shoulders a sable cloak had he.

g And a cloth of Alexandria about the cloak was wound.
He cast it off, and Blanchandrin lifted it from the ground.
But to give up the great warsword he would not give accord.
He set his right hand forthwith on the gold hilt of the sword.
Thereupon said the heathen : " This is a gallant lord."

V ■

XXXVII Thai unto the Kmg Marsile Count Ganelon drew
And he said to the King : [near

" Tis ill beseen that thus thou ragest here.

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For tbia is the word of Charles the King that over France doth

reign*
That thou become a Christian. Of half the land of Spain
Will he seize thee. Roland his nephew of the ronnant will he

seize.
Thou wilt have a partner arrogant t o share thy provinces.
If thou canst not accord thee with the good terms of my King,
His leaguer round Saragossa he certainly will bring. '''^^K-.-^J-

Thou shalt be hound and captive in the triumph of his p'^^'^fi
Forthwith to Aii his city will they lead thee in that hour. '""
Palfrey or battle-charger thou shalt not ride that day.
Mule or she-mule thou shalt not have to gallop on the way.
Upon some evil sumpter-beas t thou shalt be thrown instead.
When forth is gone the judgment, then shalt thou lose thine

head.
In the letter that he sendeth our Emperor greets thee fair."
In his right hand be reached it unto tiie heathen there.

XXX Vin The face of Marsile reddened as flashed his anger
He broke the seal in pieces and hurled the wax about. [out.

He loolced upon the letter and read it through amain :

" Lo, what King Charles commands me, that over France

doth reign,
That I should now remember his anger and his pain.
Of Ba«il and of Basan, he taketh now account
Whereof the heads I severed under Haltihe the mount.
If the life of my dear body I desire to redeem,
Then must I send unto him the Algalif mine eme.
Otherwise in no manner peace with me can he make."
Thereafter to his father the son of Marsile spake.

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20 THE SONG OF ROLAND

And said to the King :

" Great folly saith Ganelon thee before,
Such folly it were right and meet that he should live no more,
Iiet me have him to avenge thee."

When the Count heard, in air
He brandished blade, and set his back against a pine-trunk

there.

XXXIX The King into the orchard departed there and then.
And forthwith gathered to him the best of all his men.
And Bltmch&ndrin, moreover, with the white beard came there.
And also the Prince Jorfaleu, King Marsile's son and heir,
And the King's eme, the Algalif, his faithful man and leal.

Said Blanchandrin: "Call here the Frank. He hath

sworn to work our weal."

Said the King; "Do thou then bring him." By the

fingers of his hand

Through the orchard Blanchandrin led him to where the King

did stand.
And there that wicked treason the three contrived and planned.

XL "Lo, now, thou good I^ord Ganelon," said Marsilies the

King,
" Hereof there is no question ; I have wronged thee in this thing
When in wrath I strove to strike thee, grievously did I err.
\ Take thou for mine atonement this cloak of martel fur ."
^ More than an hundred golden pounds is worth that nunever.
And Ganelon gave answer : ~~ " ~

" To this I yield accord.
May God, if it be his pleasure, give thee a great reward."

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 21

XLI " Count Gonelon," said Marsile, " the truth to thee I tell.
I have it in my spirit to love thee passing well. [day i» o'er;

Of ïçars unto my thinking he hath lived a full ten-score._
And he hath borne him manfuTin many a foreign field,
And many a stroke, moreover, hath taken on his shield ;
And of many a wealthy niler a beggar hath he made.
WhcD-Kill. he grow a^weary of the ravagea nd the raid ?"

" Not such an one is Charlemagne," Ganelon answer gave,
" No lAan thaTseês âriaTôiowa'Iumlut knows that he is brave,
I know not How to praise him or to boast within this place
How much more hath the Emperor of glory and of grace.
What man his deeds of valor is able to relate?
With such a knighthood also our God hath made him great

That better 'twere to perish than to fall from that estate." V

XLH Said the Paynim:

** Very greatly I marvd on this score.
This Charlemagne the Emperor is very old and hoar.
After my deeming certainly two hundred years and more.
Such labor of the body hath he wrought in many a land.
Such bitter strokes Hath suffered of the battle-spear and bra nd.
And of so many rulers poor beggars hath he made.
When will he grow a-weary of the ravage and the raid?"

** That will not be," said Ganelon, 'Vwhile Roland's head is
There is not such a vassal nea^h the hollow of the sky. [high.
And a gallant soldier also is his comrade Olivier, i
And thé twelve peers j moreover, whom Charlemagne holds dear.
Of twenty thousand horsemen are ever more the v_^
Sure is the King among them is not one caitiff man."

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Said the Faynim:

" A great marrel this matter do I hold,
That Charlemagne the Emperor is grown so white and old.
I deem that more than ten good score of years Ûie man hath

told.

Throughout so many nations he hath conquered near and far,
So many strokes hath suffered from the Veea sword of war.
So many wealthy sovereigns hath he happed to take or slay.
When then will he be weary of warring thus alway?"

" That will not he while Roland lives," said the Count

Ganelon,
" There is not such a vassal from here to the rising sun.
Andlplivier his comrade^s a soldier s tark a nd bold.
And\the twelve peers)^ moreover, that dear the King doth hold,
Are the vanguard of an army of twenty thousand Franks.
The King knows well no coward is found among their ranks."

XLIV Marsile the King to Ganelon again the word said he :
" So fair is this my knighthood better is not to see.
Four hundred thousand horseman are in this host of mine.
Lightly can I fight with Charlemagne and the French battle-
And Ganelon gave answer : [line."

" Fight thou not in tfais hour.
Hou sholt gain a mighty slaughter of all the Paynim power.
But put aside this folly and a wise counsel take :
Out of thy rich possession such a present shalt thou make
To the Emperor that no Frank shall be but shall marvel without

end.
And because of the twenty hostages that to him thou shalt send
Again to the sweet realm of France the Emperor shall rqMur.
And the rear-guard of the army he shall leave behind him there.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 28

With the rear his nephew Roland, I trow, will march along,
And Olivier, moreover, the courteous and the strong.
Dead are the Counts, an thou hearken the counsel of my tongae.
Charles shall behold his mighty pride how greatly it shall fall.
Further desire for battle he shall not have at all."

XLV "Prithee, my good Lord Ganelon," did the King Marsîle

say,
" I^ what fashion, shall I labor Roland the Count to slay?"
And Ganelon gave aiiswer:

" I will even tell it to thee. j
At Sizré in the great defile t he Emperor will be, i

And his rear-guard behind him to its post he will command, j ,
There will bejRoIand his nephew that hath so strong an handJ
And piiviêry moreover, whom the King trusteth so.
And Wrenty-thousand Frenchmen in their company will go.
An hundred thousand Faynims thither shalt thou bid fare.
A battle to the Frenchmen they first shall offer there. [boat

Ah, white the faces of the Franks ! slaughtered shall be thet:
Not but In lives of soldiers thou shalt bear a mighty cost.
Once more on them in battle in like fashion shalt thou fall ;
Id which Count Roland perishes it matttrs not at all.
But thou shalt have done in battle a deed of gentle mi^t,
Nor ever in thy lifetime shalt have need to fight the fight.

XLVI " Who bringeth to pass that Roland in battle shall be
The right arm of his body shall tear from Charlemagne, [slain,
Quiet shall be forever the marvellous hosts of war.
And he will never gather such mighty armies more.

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24 THE SONG OF ROLAND

The Greater Land, moreover, in peace «id rest shall be."

When MarsQe heard, upon the neck he kissed him eagerly.
And forthwith unto Ganelon let ope, his treasury.

XL VII Again spake the King MarsQe :

" Why do I not speak forth?
If we be not certain, each of each, the counsel^ is no worth.
Swear now unto this treason, if faith in thee there be."
And Ganeton gave answer : " It shall fall as pleaseth thee."

He swore upon the relics in the sword Murglas' hilt
To carry out the treason. Thus was compassed all his guilt,

XLVni Thereby there stood a high-seat wrouf^t out of

dephant horn.
King Marsile let before him a certain book be borne. [plain.

Therein the law of Termagaunt and Mahound was written
And then his oath upon it sware that Saracen of Spain
That, if upon Count Roland in the rear-guard he might light,
With the whole array of Faynims against him would he smite ;
And, were it his lot, would perish like a true man in the fray.
Said Ganelon : " Now blessings on our covenant alway."

XLIX Then laughing clear strode forward a Paynim Valda-
And raised up the King Marsile, and spake to Ganelon : [bron,

" Take now my sword. A better no man at all hath found,
Only the hilt of the great sword is worUi a thousantL^o^di,
Out of pure love a^d friendship I give it to thee here.
By thee shall we find Count Roland in the army of the rear."
Then answered the Count Ganelon : " Right shall be done

herein."
Thereon they kissed each other on the cheek and on the chin.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 25

L And Climborin a Pajnim came forward at a stride,
And clearly rang hia laughter as to Ganelon he cried :

" Take now my helm. Id no place have I seen a better helm.

Through thee the Marquis Roland in dishonor shall we w|i«;]m."

Thereon said Ganelon the Count: " Herein shall right be

done."
Forthwith thej kissed each other the cheek and lip upon.

LI Then to the place came Bramimonde (King Marsile's
She said unto Count Ganelon : [queen was she)

" I greatly honor thee.
My lord esteems thee greatly, and all his men beside.
Behold, fair Sire, these bracelets will I send unto thy bride.
With am ethyst and jacinth and gold they are fashioned well.
And more than all tSe treasure are they worth that Rome can

Wl.
Jewels of such rich excellence thine Emperor hath none."

The gems into his riding boots thrust the Count Ganelon.

LH Said the King unto his treasurer : " D ight is the Emper-
or's gift?"
" Yea, Sire," the man gave answer, " it is well enough to

shift.
Seven hundred camels laden with silver and gold are by.
And likewise twenty hostages the gentlest under sky."

LHI On the shoulder of Count Ganelon, King Marsile laid
He said : [his hand.

" Thou art very gallant and quick to understand.

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By that law which for holiest thou boldest in thy heart,
Keep thee wellthat in no manner thou shalt falter from our
Go«d-Btore'of my possessions will I give o'er to thee. [part.

I will load ten mulea with the finest of the gold of Araby.
No year shall pass but to thee a like present I will make.
And the keys of this great city I prithee now to take.
Give thou to Charles the Emperor these gifts of mighty cost.
Then bring it to pass that Roland in the rear shall have his
If in the mountain passes upon him I shall light, [post.

The battle that I offer shall be a mortal fight."

And Ganelon gave answer : " Too long do I dday."
He mounted on his charger and galloped on his way.

LIV Again the Emperor Charlemagne drew nigh unto his
To the town of Valtierra in that hour was he come. [home.

Roland the Count that city had overthrown and ta'en.
After that day an hundred years a waste did it remain.
Por tidings of Count Ganelon a space abode the King,
And the great Spanish Empire her splendid ransoming.
And at the crack of day-break, when the clear morning glowed,
Into the King's encampment Count Ganelon he rode.

, LV Betimes upon that morning the King himself besti rred,
; And MasB^aiid JVIati;^ Service already had he heard.

He sat by his pavilion upon the"grass so yreen.

Roland and the brave Olivier beside him there were seal.

Duke Neimes there stood by them, and many another chief.

And thither came Count Ganelon the traitor andJJie.-thief.

Forthwith he 'gan a-talking ill his wicked treachery.
" God's blessing be upon thee," unto the King said he.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 27

" The kejB of Saragossa unto thee I have brought. [fraoght,

Besides them I am charged for thee with a treasure richlj '
And a score of hostages as well. Do thou keep them close in
Marsile the brave beseeches concerning thj demand [hand.

In the matter of the Algalif, blame not the Saracen.
With mine own eyes did I b^old four hundred thousand men
That all wore iron helmets and all were hauberk-clad,
And girded at their girdles gold-point ?d HWP"ig *^*^ had.
They marched beside the Algalif to the margin of the sea,
Whither the; fled because of dread of our Christianity, f

Which they had no desire to receive or to maintain.
Scarce four leagues had they sailed, when burst the stormy

hur ricane.
There were they drowned, and never more that army shaît thou

see.
If the Algalif were living I had brought him here with me.
Hear thou tidings of the Paynim. This month shall not have

sped
Ere into France the kingdom in thy footsteps he will tread.
There will he take thy faith on him with meetly folded hands.
Thee will he serve, and hold in fief of thee the Spanish lands."
" Now to my Grod be glory," said the Sing Charlemagne.
" Well hast thou wrou^t the service, and great shall be thy

gam."
Amid that host together did a thousand trumpets bray.
They broke their camp. The sumpter-beasts they loaded on

that day.
And home to the sweet realm of France the army took the way.

LVI The whole of Spain King Charlemagne had wasted and

had wracked;
The castles he had taken, and the cities he had sacked . ~'~

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28 THE SONG OF ROLAND

But now the time of battle, he said vas past and o'er,

And back to the sweet reabn of France he wended from the war.

On a spear the army's ensign Count Roland carried hi^:

On the summit of a little Mil he raised it to the sky.

The Franks made their encampment o'er the whole countryside.

^ut along th rough th e wide valley the Paypim army- hJed^ ^

In hauberk and douBlè TTmrig. wllh laced hetm on the head.

Sword by side, shield on shoulder, and lance in hand they sped.

On the smnmit of the mountains in a wood abided they.

Four hundred thousand waited for the breaking of tbe day,

God ! What a woe ! The Frenchmen deem little of that ill.

LVII At length the day passed over and the night was calm

Kod still.
Then fell asleep the Emperor^ th e pow erf ul and gre at.
He dreamed at Sizré t hat he was, in the huge mountain gate,
And in his hands he carried his spear with the ashen heft, _
And from his hand Count Ganelon the mighty weapon reft.
With such a savage fury he shook and brandished it
, That the splinters flew to heaven. Yet the King waked no whit.

i

LVIH And after this first vision another dream he dreamed.
In France in his own chapel in the town of Aix he seemed.
And a bear bit his right shoulder, that was furious and fell .
" ' And he saw out of Arden a leopard come as well.

That fierily assailed him. Then quickly to the King [spring.
There galloped a good greyhound with many a bound and
/ The right ear of the mighty bear first with its teeth it caught.

} And a battle with the leopard the gallant greyhound fought.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 29

And the Franks spake of the greatness of the battle in the ball,
And none might knov to which of them the victory would fall.
And the Emperor slept ever, nor wakened then at all.

LIX At length the night passed over. White broke the

mni-ming «Try

Proud rode the King, and the war-horns throu^ the army

sounded high.
" Lord barons," said King Charlemagne, " the mountain

pass ye see.
Say which chief of the army in the rear-guard shall be."

** Lo ! Roland that is my stepson," gave answer Ganelon, ^^
" A baron of such following in the whole host hast thou none."

And the King looked upon him uid angry was his brow,
And he said unto Count Ganelon :

" A devil alive art thou.
And mortal rage and anger to thy heart has entered in.
With the vanguard of my army shall march what paladin?"
Said Ganelon:

" Then Ogier of Denmark let it be.
None hast thou that the matter may speed so well as he."

LX And thereupon Count Roland when the judgment he did
Spake forth to them his counsel like a good cavalier : [hear

** Lord stepfather, much kindness now unto thee I owe.
That the ruling of the rear-guard hast brought upon me so.
King Charles that holds the realm of France shall nei%r lose
After my understanding, palfrey, or battle steed. [indeed,

He shall lose no mide nor she-mule whereon a man may ride,
Nor any packhorse either, nor sumpter beast beside,

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80 THE SONG OF ROLAND

Wlierefor the sword in battle hath not made a purchase fdl."
And Ganelon gave answer : " Truth say*8t thou I know

well."

LXI When with the rear-guard he should go that the Count

Roland heard,
Then unto his stepfather he spoke a bitter word :

" Thou traitor ! thou most wicked ! bom of a shameful line !
Thou thinkest here the glove will fall out of this hand of mine,
Sven as the staff of office fell erewhUe out of thine."

LXII Count Roland to King Charlemagne his voice uplifted

there.

** Give me the bow that in thy hand thou evermore dost bear.

That no man shall reproach me that I dropped it, I deem well.

As, when Ganelon took the truncheon, with thy right glove it

befell."
The Emperor bent down his brow when spoke the paladin ;
Aye plucked he with his fingers at the beard on lip and chin ;
And the tears that came into his eyes, he could not keep them

LXHI Neimes stood forth thereafter. And there was not to
In all the court a vassal that was better man than he. [see

He said unto the Emperor :

" Well the matter hast thou heard.
The anger of Count Roland is very greatly stirred.
His is the rear. No baron in his place may well command.
The bow which thou hast offered give now into his hand.
And whoso'er will aid him now seek thou high and low."
And the King gave it over, and RaUnd todc the bow.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 81

LXIV The Emperor called Roland. " Lord Nephew," then

said he,
" Enow truljj^half mine army will I leave now with^^iBe,
Do~til6u keep Si^fOTlKy «uMy." — SaTd the Count :

" Nay, Sire, tiie thing
I will not do. God slay me if my line to shame I bring. [here
Twenty thousan d gallant Frenchmen w ill I keep. The gateway
Safe ahalt thou pass, nor while I hve for any shalt thou fear."

LXV Upon his steed of hattle the good Count Roland got.
And Qli TOf hJB comrade came to him at the spot,
And^jtrinwaa come thither, and' l^unt Gerier t he strong; '^ f

And thither also Qfijxiiger and QthP-QCame along; \ ''

And there HiH _^napïs thp proud, and^a^spn too appear;
Andjjiaris an(£liS».whom the King held so dear.
Gerard of Roussillon was there ; an ancient man was he ;
An d't^ngelier . moreover, of the land of Gascony.
Quoth-Turpin the Archbishop: " I will go too, by my head."
" And I with thee," Count Walter to the Archbishop said,
" For I am Roland's l iege man.. By him I must abide^ [beside.
Ejiights were there twenty thousand that thus came forth

LXVI To Walter-a-Hume Count Roland has given his com-
mand:
" Take now a thousand Franks with thee that are come of
France our land.
And prithee pet the passes and the little hills in hand,
Lest by ill hap the Emperor should suffer loss thereby."
" It is my bounden duty," said Walter in reply.
Therewith he led his squadrons to seize the pass on high

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49 THE SONG OF ROLAND

But he will not come down again (for ill news flies about)
Before swords seven hundred to battle are drawn out.
King Almaris that in Belferpe the kingdom held his Bva.j
The most terrible of battles will fight with him that day.

Vj^ 1 LXVIÏ High were the peaks about them, and dark the vale

and black,
Sombre the rocks around them, and terrible the track.
All day the French were marching in labor and in pain.
For fifteen leagues the bruit a man mi^t hear it plain.
When they had come to the Greater Land and looked on

Gas cony.
The country of their sovereign, then returned t^e memory
Of fiefs and farms and children and their gentle wives and j;ood.
Was no man but for pity was weeping where he stood.
But greater than any other's was the grief of Charlemagne
That he had left his nephew within the Gate of Spain. '
Pity laid hold on him. He wept, for all he was not ftdn.

LXVm In Spain abode the twelve good B« B>, with twenty

thousand by
Of Franks that felt no fear at all and dreaded not to die.
King Charlemagne the Emperor hied o nward into France ;
But underneath his mantle he hid his countenance.
Neimes rode near: "What thinkest thouP" he said unto the
Charles said: [King.

" He doth me bitter wrong that asketh me this thing.
I have so sore a sorrow, what can I do but moan?
By Granelon the land of France is wrecked and overthrown.

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Yestemi^t in a vision aD.-«aj|pel,B)towed me clear
How in m J hands Count Ganelon had sphntered all my spear, _ ,
Even he that w r ougltt-ijiie matter so that Roland took Che-rewi'^
And I have left him lonely in à'stïaagëTahdTjehiiid. '/i' A '

God's name, if I should lose him lùsliltë î shall not find."

LXIX King Charles the mighty Emperor wept, for all he

was not f aip,
For him a hundred thousand Franks suffered great grief and

pain.
And for the good Count Rolwid great fear they had as well.
Count Ganelon the traitor had wrought that treason fell.
From the sovereign of the Saracens resplendent gifts had he.
Gold and silver and noble cloths, and silken finery,
And of lions, steeds and camels and mules great company.
King Marsile bade his barons come unto him amain, \

Counts, viscounts, dukes, and almayors of the fair land of Spain '
With the emirs and the children of the counts throughout the

land.
And full four hundred thousand were added to his hand.
The drums in Saragossa he bade beat them in that hour.
They carried up Mahomet into the highest tower.
Thereby was found no Faynim but did worship and adore.
Then out with a great tumult the army rode to war.
Through Cerdagne , and through the valleys and the mountains
they marched on.
Until of the French army they saw the g onfalon,
Where all the twelve companions with the French rear-guard
King Marsile will not tarry till he have joined the fray. [lay-

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84 THE SONG OF ROLAND

LXX The n^hew of King Marsile before them all did stand.
He smote the mule he rode on with the cudgel in his hand.
In merriment his uncle right fairly he bespake : [thy aake,

** Fair Lord and King, much service have I compassed for
Much hare I suffered for thee in labor and in pain.
I have fought many a battle and Ton the field amain.
To fi^t this Ûgbt with Roland, now give me guerdon he re ;
And I myself will slay him with the sharp point of the spear.
If that Mahomet unto me his favor fair will grant.
I will free all Spain from the Aspre pass even to Dur e s tan t..
Charlemagne shall be weary, and the Franks shall be sick of war
Thou shalt never have a battle in all thy lifetime more." [o'er.
To his nephew the King Marsile &rthwith.JJie glove gave

LXXI The nephew of King Marsile in his hand the glove did
And there unto his uncle a fiery word he spake : [take.

" My fair Lord King, a mighty thing hast thou given unto
Choose now eleven barons out of thy chivalry. [me.

Against the twelve companions to battle will I ride."

And first of all one Falsaron gave answer and replied
(He was King Marsile*s brother) : " Nephew, let us away.
For thou and I together shall surely fight this fray.
The rear-guard of the gallant host that Charles to battle led.
Surely the thing is written that we shall strike them dead."

LXXII King Corsablis, moreover, rose up upon his part
From the land of Barbary was he, a man of wicked art.
He spake like a good vassal in the law of chivalry,
And not for all the gold of God à coward wâuld he be.

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And Malprimis of Brinl, behold, came running there.
On his feet was he faster than any steed to fare.
With a loud voice to MarsOe his purpose he did sKow :

" I will adventure my body in the pass of(RonceTaux. j
And if I come on Roland, he shall get his overwrow." ,

LXXIII An admiral, moreover, of Balaguer w as there. \
Most splendid was his body, and his face was proud and fairl
Gallant he was to ride in arms and to gaUop on his steed. I
And for great feats of battle men gave him aye his meed. \
HadJie-been ChristÎM ^^noMe had he been in very deed. |

And he cried before Kmg Marsile :

i/

* I will ride in Boncevaux.
If I may come on Roland, I will bring his head full low.
To th e twelve peers an d Olivier I will even do the same.
All of the French shall perish in sorrow and in shame.
Old and weak in understanding is the Emperor Charlemagne.
He will dread sore the battle to undertake again.
In liberty shall Spain abide to us forevermore." [therefor.

And the King Marsile forthwith thanked him right well

LXXrV An almayir of Moriane before the King did stand.
There was no greater scoun{lt«L4n-td}-^e^Spanish land.
And he made his boasT.

" To Roncevaux with my men will I advance.
There be full twenty thousand with buckler and with lance.
I swear, an I come on Roland, by my hand he shall be slain.
No day shall pass but the sorrow shall weigh on Charlemagne.'*

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T-XX V Turgis of Torteloaa rose also at that tide.
He WBB a count, and the city was his heritage beside.
He hated well the Christians. To the others bj the King
He strode and said to Marsile :

" Fear thou not anything.
For greater than Saint Peter, the Roman, is Mahound.
If thou serve him, to our honor the victory shall redound.
I will ride forth with Roland in Roncevaux to fight.
There is no man shall save him from death and from despite.
Seest thou my long and splendid blade. 'Gainst the edge of

Durendal
Will I set it. Swiftly shalt thou hear how victory shall fall.
The French are dead, an we find them. Sorrow and ill renown
Shall come to Charles the ancient that no more shall wear the

LXXVI Escremis of ValtJerra before them all did stand.

He was a Saracen indeed ; and his was all that land.

And unto the King Marsile right through the press he cried:

" I too will go to Roncevaux to overthrow their pride.
If I come on the Count Roland^ there shall he lose his head.
And likewise theJLord 01ivier(who ruleth in his stead.
The twelve are_dcKnned to perish. The French shall all be slain.
France' shall lie waste. Good vassals shall be lost to Charle-
magne."

LXXVH And Estorgant k Paynim before them did appear,
And Êstramarit, moreovei^bis hoon çonq>ammi dear.
There were no falser traitors nor felons in the land.
To them cried out King Marsile :

** Now forth before us stand.

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THE SONG OP ROLAND 87

Unto the Gates of Roncevaux, ye two shall get you gone.
There shall ye aid my marshals t o lead mine army on."
And they answered!

" O, King Marsile we wait on thy conmiand.
Apainal- fWfvjyj (jpj T^nl«)p{1 Te^tSAUi Will lift the hand.
The peers will have no warrâïiflEaîcIeath they may withstand.
Behold our blades of battle that are so keen and good.
Vermilion will we make them with the hot bursts of blood.
The French shall perish. Charlemagne in sorrow shall be bent.
The Greater Land for a good gift to thee we shall present.
Come there, O King, if that the thing thou verily wouldst see.
The Emperor we will give o'er for a suppliant to thee."

LXXVin Then Margaris of Seville, came running there
His land unto the sea-coast extended far and wide. [beside.

And all the ladies loved him for his fair countenance.
None ever lived that saw him but brightened at the glance.
And, would she not or would she, from smiling could forbear.
So chivalrous a gallant was no other Faynim there.
He came amid the others and shouted through the press,
And he said unto King MarsUe :

" Have no manner of distress.
I will go unto Roncevaux. Count Roland will I slay.
Neither shall the Lord Olivier carry his life away.
And the twelve peers, moreover, hard death shall have and hold.
Look now unto my weapon with the great hilt of gold.
The Admiral of Prime t hat sword gave for a gift to me.
And drenched in tbevei milion blood I promise it shall be.
And all the French shall perish, and France be shamed in that

hour.
And Charlranagne the ancient, with the great beard like a

flower,

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88 THE SONG OP ROLAND

Shall never have a day-go by, but woe and wrath shall be tide
Let but a year pass over we shall have all France beside.
In the city of Saint Denis at our ease we then may lie.*'

The masteroî^hë Paynims boired his head low in reply.

LXXIX Comubel of the Black Valley stood forth from those

around,
And his long hair about him swept down unto the ground.
He bore a greater burden for a jest, when he would play
Than seven mules could carry. Li the country, so they say,

(That he came from is no sunshine, nor groweth any grain,
Nor is there any dew at all nor any falling rain.
And the stones in that country they are all black as well.
And men say this, moreover, that there the devils dwell.
" My good sword have I girded," then Comubel he said,
" When I brandish it at Roncevauz I wot it shall be red.
If I come on that proud Roland in the middle of my way,
, ; If I attack not, let no man believe me from that day. [own.

There Durendal will I conquer with this good sword of mine
There all the French shall perish and France be overthrown !"
At that word the twelve companions on their way rode

along.
Of Saracens they led with them an hundred thousand strong,
That were eager for the battle and hasted on the way.
And underneath a pine-wood they armed them for the fray.

LXXX In the strong hauberks Saracen, themsdves the Pay-

nims clad.
' The greater number armor of triple thickness had.
j Groodjifilms of Se^ragQssaJhey laced upon them then,

And they girded swords upon them of the sharp steel of Vienne.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND

Thej held Valentian lances, and shield on shoulder wore. .

White and blue and vennilion were the gonfalons they bore. \ ''

Behbid the; left the palfreys and the sumpter mules to stray.

They mounted on the chargers and rode in close array.

The sun broke on them splendid, and fair the morning came ;

There was no bit of armor but was blazing in a Same ;

And to make it yet more glorious a thousand horns blew clear.

So mighty was the uproar that the French at last did hear.

Said Olivier:

" My comrades, and my good lords I trow .
With the Saracens a battle we are like to have one now."

Count Roland spake in answer :

" Now may Crod grant the thing.
Well now should every man of us bestir him for our King.
That for his overlord a man should suffer much is meet.
He should risk for him both life and limb and bear both cold

and heat.
Let every man look to it that he strike good strokes and strong ;
Never of any man of its shall they sing an evil song. ^ ',

For wrong iswiUithePajnimB^ut mth the Christians right, l^'' ^
Never an ill example will I set yogjn Ihe^fi^tT* „ r -

/' ' '■ " ■''

LXXXI Over the mountain ridges Olivier climbed on high.
And down a grassy valley on the right he cast his eye,
And saw the Paynim army how hard on them it hiçd. ^
Then to his comrade Roland with a loud voice he cried :

"There coroeth a jg^at_ prc8S gf fnep ^out of the land o f

Spain —
A host of the white hauberks. The helmets flash again. [f^J,^"
They shall stir up in our Frenchmen a great wrath fierce and
Count Ganelon the traitor hath wrought his treason well.

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40 THE SONG OF ROLAND

He who before the Emperor this jadgment did decide."

" Peace, Olivier," unto him Roland the Count replied.
" Tis mjstMpîaiJoëK: I like uot-thgt thou spe^of him so."

LXXXII Over the peak Lord Olivier now hasted him to go.
Out and across the realm of Spain an eager look he threv,
And he beheld the Paynim host that there together drew.
And from their gold-wrought helmets a blazing light did dance
On shield and hrniderpd ha^jh^rV, on pennant and on lance.
Not even might he number the battalions of the foe.
There were so many of them their strength he could not know.
Within liim was he troubled. He hastened as he might [sight.
From the hill and told the Frenchmen all the terror of Ûiat

LXXXm " I have looked upon the Paynims," Lord Olivier

said he;
** There is no man upon the earth that a greater host shall see.
i Under shield an hundred thousand in the van alone do ^re ^
That are clad in milk-white hauberks, and well-laced helms that

Wear.
Strai^t are the spear-shafts, glittering are the brown spears

of war.

Ye are like to have such a battle as was never fought before.

Lord Franks of God take courage that we be not beaten this

Said the Pranks: [day."

" Grod's shame upon him that runneth hence away.

For fear of death not one of us shall fail thee or betray."

LXXXIV SaidOUvier:

" The Paynims a mighty army lead.
But our good Franks meseemeth are few in very deed.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 41

Oh m; good comrade Roland, blov on thy horn amain.
And Charl^nagoe^i^ hear it and come irith the host again."
And Roland gare his aniwer :

" I should be as a fool forlorn;
Ip France should X lose mine honor, if I blew upon my horn
Fot the FltyaÙTMj -biit with "Duréhdâl the great «trdter'wiU I

deal.
Up to the golden sirord-hilt the blood shall stain the ste^
To the rock-defiles, fell Faynims, ye come in evil hour.
Now imto death, I svear it, is given all your power."

LXXXY " Oh my Companion Roland, blov on thy horn

am^H,.
King Charles the Great will hear it and come with the host

again.
And the King shall bear us succor, and with him many a
And Roland answered: [knight."

" Never were it pleasing in God's sight
That ever men my parents because of me should blame.
Or ever the sweet realm of France should come on bitter shame.
I will do enow with Durendal the sword at my side so good.
Ye shall see the br and within my hand made ruddy with the

blood.
Fell Paynims in an evil hour are ye gathered. On my faith
The whole of your great battle shall be given unto death."

LXXXVI ** Oh my good comrade Roland, but blow thy horn

the while,
King Charlemagne shall hear it on his march in the defile." __

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42 THE SONG OF ROLAND

/' " It were not pleasing unto God," did Roland answer give,
" That such a thing fihniilrt r'ur-hr-ftfiiid nf nny ***"* f\n*'^ 1'°"
That because "f_12jj"r"'f^ *^^' TBr'hgn' ^-*'^'" t^*"""'
NevBi upuiTmj parents shall such a smirch b e thrown.
And when at last I gallop in the gigantic fight,
A thousand and seven hundred of the great strokes will I smite.
Of Dorendal hereafter shall ye see the bloody steel.
The Franks, an it be God's pleasure, shall fight like vass^ leal.
The Faynims bring no w arrant against the slau^ter here."

LXXX\TI " Herein is found no shame at all," gare answer

Olivier,
" Nay but the Saracens of Spain. I have seen their battle

clear.
And the valley and the mountain and the moorland and the

plain
With the great host of the stranger are covered up anuun. '^- ]
And all of us together but a little host are we."
And Roland made him answer :

" The fiercer will I be.
I God and the Holy Angels would deem it an ill day,
I J/t France should lose h^r honor when Roland feared the fray.
iBetter it were to perish than that shame on us should light.
King Charles wi ll holj jir ■^°"-'^- *^f fl:t rongl ier that we smite."

LXXXVin Froud is the Marquis Roland and Olivier is wise.
The twain of them, moreover, are men of gallant guise. _ [on.
When they are mounted on the steed and have got their hamesa
Then never though they perish the battle will they shun.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 48

Both of the Counts are gallant, and their words highrand free.
In mighty anger inarches the host of heathenry.

" Roland, look for a little," Lord Olivier did say.
** Behold they are hard upon us and Charles is far away.
A blast upon the war-hom thou wouldst not deign to blow.
Were the King here among us we were not perilled so.
Look up unto the mountain where the Aspre gates appear ;
There mayst thou see the sorrow of the army of the rear.
He who so wrought the matter in no other fray shall ride."
And unto the Lord Olivier Roland the Count replied:

** So great a shame and folly I pQ^iee speak not thou,
But let him be accursed who tumeth coward now.
Within this place together we shall stand against the foes.
Here shall we deal together the buffets and the blows."

LXXXIX When well had Roland seen it that a battle soon

would be.
Then lordier than a leopard or a lion s tark w as he.
He shouted to the Frenchmen and to Olivier he cried:

" My lord and my companions ! now say no more beside.
The Fmperor who his Frenchmen hath given to our hand,
Hath left us twenty thousand that here with us shall stand.
That not a man among them is a co wa rd he is sure.
And for his lord great evil a good man must endure, '< ^ , :'

And bear great neat, moreover, and likewise bitter cold. \
And flesh and blood of his bod^ to lose^e must be bold.
Smite with the lance. With Durendal the battle will I try,
The good blade the King gave me. And if I hap t o die,
He that shall have it hereafter, shall say about the sword (
That it was a good vassal's who was faithful to his lord." J

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44 THE SONG OF ROLAND

XC There was Archbishop Turpin upon the other hand
He spurred his charger onwards. On a hill he took his stand
And unto all the Frenchmen he spoke a message clear.

*' Lord barons, Charles the Emperor hath left us in the rear.
And for our King and Master behoveth us to die.
Quit ;ou like men for Christendom, that it maj stand thereby.
Ye may be sure and certain that your battle soon will be.
For with your eyes each man of you the Saracens may see.
Do ye forthwith confess your sins ; for God his mercy pray.
' To save your souls His healing upon you I will lay.
Ye will be holy martyrs, if in the fight ye fall.
In the fair land of l*aradiae ye shall sit one and all."

And forthwith did the Frenchmen upon the groimd ali^t,
And kneeled, and the Archbishop he blessed them by God'»

might.
And bade them for their penance upon the foe to smite.

XCI Up rose thereon the Frenchmen. Upon their feet they

got
Absolved they were and pardoned of their sins upon the spot.
And the'Archbishop Turpin hath blessed them by God's power.
Upon the battle-chargers they mounted in that hour.
They armed them like good champions. They donned their
And thereupon Count Roland to Olivier did say: [war-array

" Oh, my good InM-am} P0Tnrndp ,.8" ^y "*' ^" ' ^ -"'^i;^*'«t well,
And I believe, we are betrayed by Ganelon th e fell.
And gold and rich possession liath the man purchased thus. ■
The Emp^t^r great vengeance must surely take for us.
To march on us, to Mars ÏÏëTïâ OTTranel^lSIiL-Mord .
They shall barter now that treason for the edges of the sword."

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 46

XCII Through the Gates of Spain went Roland on Valiant
the great steed,
With all his armor on him that became him well indeed.
He bore the good spear in his hand with the point unto the

height.
Upon the summit of the spear was laced a pennant white.
About his hands went flashing the fringes of the gold.
/His face was fair with laughter and within his heart was bold. /
And hard upon his footsteps came his good company, /

And the men of France proclaimed him their champion to be.
He cast upon the Saracen a fierce glance and a proud,
But a fair and gentle on the French, and he spake swe e t wo rds

aloud:
" Ride slowly, my lord barons. To their slaughter do they
We shall carry from the Faynim a mighty booty home. [come.
No king of France before us such treasure e'er has ta'en."
Scarce had his words been spoken, when the armies met amain.

XCUI Said Olivier to Roland :

" I wiU even speak my fill.
The mighty horn of battle to blow thou hadst no will.
Now unto us King Charlemagne no succour can afford ;
He knows not of our peril and no blame is to our lord.
And the soldiers of the army we may blame them in no way.
But ride ye like good cavaliers, as fiercely as ye may.
To keep the field, lord barons, now firm your spirits make;
By God I pray you steel yourselves the blows to give and take.
The shout of war of Charlemagne we will remember aye."

And as he finished speaking the French raised up the cry.
Well mi^t he think on loyalty Mount joy_ that tide that heard.
Then they galloped in great glory. At utmost speed they

spurred.

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46 THE SONG OF ROLAND

Thej will Bmite, (what can thej otherP) But the foe feared

not the war.
AAd full against each other the Franks and Paynims bore.

XCrV Forth Tode King Marsile's nephew, (Adelroth was his
And first of all the army before the host he came. [name)

Concerning our good Frenchmen he spake evil on his way:
" What ho, ye Frankish villains, ye shall joust with us this

day.
And he who should bave saved you has betrayed you t o your

' " 'fate.~~"

A fool is the Ki"g ^^nrlnmsgn^f that left vnii at the gate. -

Away from the 9W^* r^ttlm nt Fram^her glory shall be ta'en.

And, moreover, from his body the right arm of Charlemagne."

But God! when Roland heard it^bA-wfts-âlled.j2^ ^''^th

He pricked the battle charger with the great spurs of -goldTT
The Count rode in to strike him as fiercely as he might,
He brake the shield; through the hauberk a great stroke did

he smite.
Right through the Paynim*s body the weapon good he drave.
The bones he brake in pieces, the chest he cut and clavë^
And the strong spine he severed in the back of the cavalier ;
The spirit from the body he harried with the spear.
So well he smote that F&ynim that he staggered there indeed ;
With the swift lance did Roland beat the dead man from the

steed.
And with that stroke he shattered all the knight's neck m

twain ;
Yet none the less Count Roland spake forth unto the slain :

" Get hence, thou slave ! no villain is Charlemagne the King.
As for the sin of treason he loveth not the thing.

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When he left us in the pftsses he did as a brave man maj.
And not a whit of glory sweet France shall lose to-day.
Strike now, my Franks ! Unto us the first stroke doth belong.
. We have the right of the battle. Iliese villains have the

wrong."

>

XCV A duke was there hight Falsaron. Marsile's brother
Of Pathan and Abiram he held the land in fee. [was he.

Than he a feller villain was not beneath the skies.
Exceeding broad and mighty was his brow between the eyes —
A full half foot by measure a man might see it spread —
He bad his M of sorrow when he saw his nephew dead.
Through the press with the Paynim war-cry Duke Falsaron

made way
And shouted inhwiuïyi — *' Fsanjîtiihall be shamed this day."

Olivier hpariT Wi^^1l^I^.l^ m ■^^ ^^ mighty nlf ^ i « tir -— — ^,

He pricked the battle charger with the good golden spur.
Therewith the shield he shattered, and the hauberk all to-broke.
Through the side the pennant-fringes were driven at the stroke.
With the swift lance from the arçon he smote the Paynim dead.
And looked on the villain where he lay, and a proud word he

said:
" Knave ! never for your menace shall I have care again.
Strike Franks into the mellay, and the battle we will gain !"
And he gave " Mountjoy " the war-cry, the shout of
Charlemagne.

XCVI There was a king, one Corsablis, that thither came to

hand.
And he was come from Barbary and dwelt in the strange land.

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48 THE SONG OF ROLAND

He called to the other FaTtums :

" Well may we win the day.
The army of the Frenchmen but a little host are they
And those that stand before us we should hold in little dread.
Not one unto King Charlemagne shall carry hence his head.
Now is their time upon them, the hour that they shall die."

But Turpin the Archbishop, full well he heard the cry.
Was no man under heaven that he did hate so sore. [bore

He pricked the steed'wifh the fai r gol d spurs, and gallantly he
Against the foe to smite him. The buckler there he c love,
And shivered the hauberk. Through the shield the splendid

lance he drove.
He struck him that he staggered. He smote him dead in the

way
Witii the lance, and then looked downward to where the villain

lay.
Nor did he cease from bitter speech, but then aloud he cried :

" Get hence, thou slavish traitor ! Full loudly hast thou lied.
My lord King Charles will aid m. Our Franks have no desire
To flee, but thy companions, we will teach them till they tire.
Another death hereafter must thou suffer yet again.
Strike in, strike in, ye Frenchmen ! forget not ye are men.
The first stroke comeUt on our side; to God the praises be."
Thereon " Mountjoy!" he shouted for desire of victory.

XCVn And on Malprimis of Brigal the good lord Gerin

smote.
The great shield that he carried availed him not a groat.
And the fair crystal b uckle in pieces small he bra st.
The half of the fair buckle down on the ground was cast.

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The hauberk he tore asunder, even unto the skin.
Deep, deep into the body he thrust the good lance in.
At the one stroke the heathen upon the ground did rdl.
And in that hour Satan hath carried off his soul, y^

XCVm And Gerier his good comrade the Admiral o'erthrew.
He broke the shield. The hauberk, he rended it in two,
And his good lance, moreover, right through the heart he ran.
He smote so well he drove it through the body of the man.
Dead to the ground with the swift lance the enemy he bore.

Thereon said the Lord Olivier : " Most gallant is our

war."

XCIX Duke Samson 'gainst the Almaçor rode out to strike

■ a stroke.

The golden-flowered buckler in pieces there he broke.
His hauberk "then that Saracen stood him in stead not well.
Through heart and lungs and liver the aword of Samson fell.
And, would ye not or would ye, he smote the fellow dead.
** Yon is a baron's sword-strcke," Archbishop Turpin said.

C And Ansrïs thereafter let his war-charger go.
Turgis of Tortelosa he rode to overthrow,

And the great shield he shattered "neath the buckle of the gold>.
Of the hauberk fair, moreover, he burst the double fold, [spear
He struck him through the body with the sharp head of the
So wdl that on the other side all of the steel was clear. [down.
With the swift lance dead on the field he hurled the heathen
Said Roland: "That was the spear-stroke of a hero of

renown.'*

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50 THE SONG OP ROLAND

CI And Engelier of Bordeaux, the Gascon, came amain.
He spurred the charger onwards, he loosed the bridle-rein.
Escremis of Valtierra he galloped in to slay.
He clove 'the sïuSdcïthe Paynim that the cantels f ell away.
Out of the heathen hauberk the steel rings did he wg est.
Between the man's two shoulders he stabbed him through the

breast.
And dead out of the saddle he hurled him with the spear.
Thereon aloud he shouted : " Ye all shall perish here !"

CII And Otfaon smote a Paynim, and Estorgant he hirfit._
Upon the forepart of the shield on the leather did he smite.
That he cut away the colors, the venniUon and the white.
The steel plates of the hauberk he rended them and tore.
Right through the Paynim's body the cutting spear he hore.
Down from the running charger he struck the villain dead.

And he spake : " There was no warrant 'gainst death to
stand thy stead."

cm And Berenger, moreover, Estramaris smote he;

He broke his shield, he shattered the hauberk utterly.

So through the heart of the Paynim the mighty spear he sped

That amid a thousand Saracens he struck the fellow dead.

Of the twelve peers of the Paynims now ten good men are slain.

Alive of all that fellowship but two of them remain.

And Comubel and Margaris the Marquis are the twain.

CIV And Margaris the Marquis was a very stalwart knight.
Stalwart he was and beautiful and swift of foot and hght.

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THE SONG OF HOLAND CI

Spurring 'gainst Olivier, his vay to smite him did he hold.
He shattered all the target 'neath the buckle of pure gold..
Along the flank of the good Frank he thrust the battle-spear.
But b; God's aid he hurt not the side of Olivier. V

For the great lance but grazed him, nor dealt him any wound,
And Margaris unhindered went beyond him with a bound.
And to summon up his henchmen upon his horn did sound.

- ' CV Marvellous is the battle and all men fight the fray.

And.from.it the Count Bolnnd no-i dûtr ^^ kept away, [remain.
With the lance he fought whUe in his hand the spear-shaft did
But fifteen strokes have wrenched it and broken it in twain.
Then forth he drew great Durendal, the naked goodly glaive, i
He spurred the steed; to slay him at Comubel he drave. .
He shattered all the helmet where the carbuncles s hone fair.
He clave through the wHte linen cap and through the mighty

hair,
And through his eyes and visage, and through the hauberk

white
With little links, to the forking of the body did he smite.
And right through the rich saddle of beaten gold wrought well.
And the great steed thereimder, the blade of Roland fell.
It broke the back of the charger. Where was no joint did it

pass.
There Roland struck dead Comubel on the thick growing grass.
After he said:

" Thou coward, an ill-come man wast thou.
No succor by Mahomet shall be granted to thee now.
And such a very villain shall win no war to-day."

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62 THE SONG OF ROLAND

CVI Count Roland on the chargeT throu^ the battle made

his way.

And Durendal that cut and thrust so veil in hand he bore.

In that hour of those Saracens he mode a slaughter sore.

Ah ! but to see him hurling the slain upon the slain,
/ And the clear blood a-flowing that spouted on the plain !
1 And bloody vas his hauberk, and his arms were steeped in blood.
' Red were the neck and shoulders of the charger great and good.

Upon the Paynims Olivier no whit was slow to fall.

The twelve peers in that battle deserved no blame at all.

And all the French, moreover, came charging on to slay.

There many Payuims perished, or in terror swooned away.

Said Turpin then : " Oar chivalry like men the fight maintain."
He cried the great cry of Mountjoy the cry of Charle-
magne.

CVn Up and thorough the battle went riding Olivier.
Split was his lance. He carried but a trunchegiLof the spear.
He rode against a Faynim, and Malsaron he hight.
, Through the g«dden-flowered helmet_a great stroke did he smite.
Both of his eyes from the man's head Lord Olivier did beat.
The brains of the smitten Paynim fell down unto his feet.
With Malsaron he overthrew seven hundred of his men.
And Turgis and Estorgos the t wain h e slaughtered then.
The lauce-haft to his hand-grasp was splintered and to-broke.

"What dost thou, my companion?" So the Count Roland
" In such a bitter battle for a truncheon have no care. [spoke.
The sharp steel and the iron have richer value there. [hold,

Where is the great sword Haulteclair that thou wast wont to
Whose pommel is of crystal and the great hilt all of gold ?"

And Olivier gave answer : " I could not draw it indeed
To smite within the battle, too eager was my need."

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CVin And thereupon Lord Olivier the goodly war-Bword
Even as his comrade Roland had besought him so to do, [drew,
And lite to a good cavalier held it in all men's sight.
On Justin of Val-Ferrég ,the Paynim did he smite.
And the head of that same Faynim in pieces twain he smote*
And clove him through the body and the embroidered coat.
And right through the good saddle set yit ^^tSr golff^nd fine
Swiftly the stroke went downwards and clove the horse's spine.
Before him dead upon the field the man he hath overthrown.

Said Roland:

" Thee hereafter for my brother will I own.
King Charlemagne aye loves us for such buffets with the

brand."

Now was the war-shout of Mountjoy cried out on every

hand.

CIX On the good charger Sorrel was Gcrin the chevalier,

And Gerier his comrade on Swifter-than-the-Deer.

They slacked the rein together and spurred the horses well

And rode out to do battle with the Faynim Timosel.

On the shield smote one. The other his hauberk struck amain.

The two spears in his body were broken right in twain.

And of myself I know not, nor e'er did hear men say,

Which of the two good heroes was swiftest on that day.

And thither Count Espreveris the son of Borel drew.

Him, Engelier of Bordeaux in the battle overthrew.

And Turpin the Archbishop there slaughtered Siglorel,

The enchanter who already had descended into Hell. ^

There Jupiter had brought him by wicked e lamourie." ^

Said Turpin the Archbishop: " A strong villain was he."

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H

Si THE SONG OF ROLAND

Ând Roland spake in anawer:

" The knave is vanquished here.
Beautiful are such gallant strokes, my brother Olivier."

CX But the hattle in the meanwhile in bitter jpiise outbroke.

The Frenchmen and the Paynims smote many a wondrous

stroke.

And some came on right fiercely ; on their ward the others

stood.

What store of spears were shattered and drenched in the blood !

How many gonfalons and flags were tattered in the fray.

How many gallant Frenchmen gave up their youth that day.

No more shall they see their mothers. Their wives they will not

see.

Nor the French beyond the passes that await them eagerly.

King Charlemagne he weeps and moans. Hath his woe any

worth?

They get thereby no succor. When Ganelon went forth

To sell in Saragossa his kindred for his gain,
-, He did most evil service to the men of Charlemagne.
; But life and limb thereafter of the man went all to wreck.

In the court of Aix was he condemned. They hanged him by

' — the neck.

And thirty of his kinsmen perished with him thereby

That had not any deeming how they were doraned to die.

CXI MarveUouB waxed the battle with anguish heavy-
And Olivier and Roland exceeding well they fought. [fraught.
From the hand of the Archbishop a thousand strokes did fall,
Nor any whit were slothful the twelve peers one and all.

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THE SONG OF BOLAND S5

And all of the French annj struck into the mellay.

By hundreds and by thousands the Faynims fell thaf day.

'Gaipst death he had no warrant who fled not thence away

And, would he not or would he, his life was g;iven o'er.

All of their fairest armor the Franks lost in the war.

Their fathers and their kinsmen they will never see again,

Nor him who waits beyond the gates, the Emperor Charle-

" — -— jjaagpe. ,
In France there was a tempest enough to make one quail. j D'-~~-
Along the storm-cloud hasted with the thunder and the gale.
The rain and hail unmeasured beat fiercely from aloft; t .L

And the thunder in its fury rattled many a time and oft. \
' And all the land was shaken by an earthquake verily
From Bheims unto S aint Mic hael-of^the^Pejal^ofsthfirSea,
And from the Port pr Wissant unto Besa nçon t he town
There was not any city whose b ulwar ks fell not down.
And at the height of noon-tide great darkness came on high;
There was no hght nor clearness but for breaking of the sky.
All were in dread and many said : y

" It is the day of doom.
The term of all our cycle and the end of time is come."

The truth they understood not; no verity they spake.
It was sorrow for the paladin, and woe for Boland's sake. ,^

CXn The Franks have fought the battle with a great heart

and strong,
And the Paynim knights have fallen by thousands in the throng.
Out of an hundred thousand are left but thousands two.
Said Turpin:

** Our good cavaliers are gallant men to do.

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06 THE SONG OF BOLAND

Is no king under heaven has better in Mb ranks.**

This ia the saytng written in the deed-book of the Franks^
That the vassals of the Kmperor are brave men in the fight.
Through the field the; sought their comrades on the left and

on the right.

' And the tears of grief and tenderness out of their eyes did start

For tove of their good kinsmen that were dear unto the heart.

And with a great host Marsile the King before them

' stands.

•/

* CXIIa I wot the great Count Roland is a good knight of his
y " hands,

i,'v And the twelve peers and Olivier great worship is their due.
TTie Faynims by their power in the fight they overthrew.
Of an l»iri dr<^ t hg"'"U ld hoinew niilii m i rv a n nl rl i i f nn mn
Save for a single Paynim. Margaris was his name.
And though he fied, unto him shame or reproach was none.
His body bore him witness of the deeds that he had done.
Four lances had he in him. He turned back into Spajn.
The matter of the battle to Marsile be made plain.

CXnb Alone hath the Count Margaris got safely from the

field.
His spear was broken in pieces, and pierced was bis shield,
And underneath the bucUer but half a foot was left.
And as for his good helmet in pieces it was cleft.
And, moreover, of his hauberk all broken was the chain.
His good steel blade was ruddy with a vermilion stain, [spears.
And pierced was his body with the strokes of four strong
Back he came from the battle where the buffets were so fierce.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND B7

d! what a baron had he been, had he been christened well, j *
tTnto the Faynim Marsile those tidings did he tell.
Swiftly before the King he knelt and to him did he say :

" To horse, my lord. The Franks of France are weary from

the fray
And from atriking down our henchmen with the great strokes

of war.
They have lost the spears and bucklers that in the fight they
And half of all their army is slaughtered in the fight. [bore ;

And they that yet are living are found in sorry plight.
The most are wounded and ruddy with the blood themselTes

have shed ;
And they have not any weapons against us to make head.
Li yhtly mayst thou avenge us. And now my master know
ïhe army of King Charlemagne is ripe for overthrow. "_

"And to Roland and to Olivier the hosî of Frenchmen

prayed :
" Let the twi'lve pears tegether come now unto our aid."
And Turpin the Archbishop first of all his answer gave:
" Ye men of God I pray you be of good heart and brave.
To-day upon your foreheads the crowns of God shall lie.
And Paradise the Holy is you^Ktrtion now for aye." [sad.

Among the host of Frenchmen now was grief and sorrow
They wept in one another's arms for the friendship that they

had.
Li charity they kissed. " Ye knights, to horse and ride along,"
Cried Roland, ** Marsile cometh an hundred thousand strong !"-

CXIII And down jmid « «alley ■" ^mat.. iring j^ja^Hiiin mj>fA
The army he had gathered along with him he led.

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58 THE SONG OP HOLAND

/ In twenty stricken columns their number had he told.
j ;' Blazing were all their helmets with precious stones and gold.
' I Pennants and spears and bucklers and broidered coats had they
j And seren thousand war-homs were bellowing for the fray.
i The bruit and the tumult through the land went far and near.
I Said Roland:

" My good comrade and brother Olivier,
Count Ganelon, the traitor, hath sworn to work our death.
No longer may be hidden the breaking of his faith.
But certainly the Emperor shall veil avenge the wrong.
And we will have a battle most terrible and strong.
There is no man that hveth that ever saw the like.
Therein with the blade Durendal the great strokes will I strike.
Pall on, my good companion, with Haulteclair the brand.
Well, heretofore, the bladeswe bore in many and many a land.
And we have won together of battles such a throng.
Let them hereafter never sing of us an evil song."

CXrV When the Franks looked on the heathen how fast they

came amain.
And how in every quarter they swarmed upon the plain,
Often then unto Roland and Olivier they prayed, [aid.

' And the twelve peers, moreover, that they should stand their
And Turpin the Archbishop there made his meaning clear:

"Ye gallant knights, I pray you that ye have no coward
In Crod's name I beseech it. Turn not to flee away. [f^ar.

Let no brave man hereafter sing of you an evil lay.
Better it is in battle like a brave man to fall.
And this day it is certain we shall perish one and all.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND S9

After this day our fortune no longer is to Eve.
But for one thing unto you my wa rrant will I give. [dwell."

For Holy Paradise is yours. With the Saints ye there shall sj
When the Franks heard the Bishop's word it cheered them
wondrous wcdl.
There was not any Frenchman of them that stood about
But forthwith with a mighty voice Mountjoy began to shout.

CXIVa Unto the worst of princes Marsile the King was peer.
He said unto the Paynims : "

" Lordings, now hark and hear.
This Frank, the Marquis Roland, is a man of might and main.
Who will beat him in the battle must suffer grievous pain.
And Roland in two battles ye cannot overthrow.
But thrice, if it be your pleasure, against him will we go.
And ten of my strong columns against the French shall ride.
The other ten, however, shall tarry at my side.
The glory of King Charlemagne this day shall ruined be.
And France hurled into ruin, moreover, shall ye see."

Then an embroidered banner he gave unto Grandoign -y-'""
To lead his men against the Franks that battle they mi^t join.
And therewithal was given to Grandoign the whole command.

CXIVb To a low hill went Marsile and there he took his stand.
And Grandoign straight departed with all his company.
Sown he rode through the valley as swiftly as might be.
His gonfalon was fastened with three fair nails of ^Id.
He shouted as he galloped:

" To horse, ye barons bold !"

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60 THE SONO OF ROLAND

And that it might be fairer yet a thousand trumpets bier.
" Father God," the Frenchmen said,

" What deed is now to doP
Suïely we saw Count Ganelon upon an evil day.
And by his wicked treason he has bartered us away.
What ho ! the twelve companions ! come now unto our aid !"
And first Archbishop Turpin gave answer there and said :
■^ " Good knights, to-day great honor unto you shall be given.
Grod will give you crowns and flowers amid the Saints of Heaven.
But there is not any coward that shall enter into rest."
To him the Franks made answer :

" We will do thy whole behest.
We will not fear for death at all."

With the good goldm spurs
They spurred away to battle against those d^utard c tfrs.
And they shouted all together: '* Mountjoy for Charlemagne!"

CXrVc Marsile the king, divided all of his host in tw ain.
Ten columns kept he with him and ten rode out to war.
A thousand trumpets thundered and a man might hear them
Said the Franks : [far.

" Grod ! what a slaughter shall we suffer in this fray !_
Ye twelve good peers, what deem you shall become of us this

day?»
Thereto Archbishop Turpin spake in answer to this end :
" Good cavaliers, now greatly has God become your friend.
This day shall ye be crowned with crowns and lovely flowers

likewise;
This day ye shall have places in the peace of Paradise.

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But never shall the cowards have any entry there."
Said the Franks :

" We will not fail you in anything whatever.
Never to Gîod were it pleasing that we should be gainsaid.
With our full strength on the foemen this hattle shall be made.
Few men we are, hut hards .!!

They spurred the knaves to slay
And Saracen and Frenchman slashed into the mellay.

CXV There was of Saragossa a Saracen at hand.

The half of all the city it was his fief and land.

Twas Climborin who was not a good knight of his word.

Twas he who with Count Ganelon had made a fast accord

That he should sell Count Roland and all his host of men.

Count Ganelon upon the mouth of friendship kissed he then,

And gave to him a carbuncle and therewithal his helm.

And he boasted there the Irreater Land in shame to overwhelm,

From Charlemagne would he take away the royal crown by

He sate upon the charger that Barhamuche was hipht^ [might.

And swifter than a swallow or a falcon was the steed.

He loosed the rein. He spurred him to the utmost of his speed.

Towards Engelier of Gascony he galloped o'er the field.

No whit might save the Frenchmen his hauberk or his shield.

He thrust into the body the iron of the spear

So well that out behind him all of the point was clear.

With the swift lance upon the fidd he laid the dead man low.

And after cried :

" These Frenchmen are good to overthrow.
Strike in ! strike in ! ye Saracens, and batter in their ranks."
** God ! what sorrow for the hero I'^was the cry am«ng the

Franks.

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62 THE SONG OF ROLAND

CXVI And thereupon Count Roland to Olivier he said: /

" EngeUer, lord companion, is already smitten dead. /^
We have not in the army a braver man than he." 1/

Said Olivier : " To venge him God grant it unto me."
Forthwith he spurred the charger with jthe goldoi spurs
^ so good,

4 And he hove up the sword Haulteclair all ruddy with the blood.
i ^And there oi his good courage he rode to smite him well.

His stroke hath made the Paynim reel ; down from the steed he
And thence away his spirit the adversary bore ; [fell.

Thereafter the Duke Alphaien he slaughtered in the war.
The brow of Escababi he clove it in his course,
And seven Arabs also he beat them from the horse.
Never again those seven men to war will take the path.
Said Roland ;

" My companion is greatly up in wrath.
Beside me in the battle much honor now he hath.
We are dearer unto Charlemagne for such buffets as he smites."
"With a loud voice he shouted, " Strike into it, my knights !"

CXVII Now came Valdabron the Paynim that for his chivalry

Marsile bred up. Four hundred ships were his upon the sea.

Was no sailor of his thieving but had aore c ause to complain.

Jerusalem, the city, by treason had he ta'en.

The temple of King Solomon he plundered through and through.

The Fatriarchi moreover, before the font he slew.

And Valdabron with Ganelon himself by oath had bound.

And a good sword he gave him and therewith a thousand pound.

There he sate in the saddle on Gradamont his horse.

Swifter than any falcon was that charger in his course.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 68

He spurred right well. To fell him at Samson did he ride
That was a duke among the French, and a gallant man heside.
He shattered all the buckler, through the hauberk did he shear.
He thrust into the hodj the pennant of the spear.
With the swift lance from the saddle he smote the hero dead.
" Knaves ! ye shall die," with a great cry unto the French

he said,
" This day an evil succor shall ye get from Charlemagne.
Faynims, strike in, and lightly this battle will we gain." [woe."
Said the Franks : ** God ! for the baron how bitter is our

CXVHI When Roland saw Duke Samson slain in the over-.

throw,
Then he suffered such a sorrow as was never known to man.
He spurred the steed beneath him till its uttermost it ran ;
And the sword worth more than the fine gold, even Durendal he

bare.
Hard as he mi^t he rode to smite against that Paynim there
A high stroke over his hehnet of gold with the gems a-row.
He clove the head and the hauberk and tiie body with that blow,
And the good selle, t hat jewels and gold work did not lack.
Unto the back of the charger and deep into the back.
Whether ye praise or blame him, the twain there smote he dead.
** A mi^ty stroke against us was that stroke," the Faynims

said.

" Ah ! ever shall I hate you," shouted Roland through their

I throng,

/ " Upon your side is naught but pride and the bitterness of

wrong." /

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64 THE SONG OF ROLAND

CXIX An African of Afnoa into that battle came.
He Tas the son of Malcud ; Malquidant was his name.
All of the gold fair beaten was the armour he had on.
Brighter than all the others was he flashing in the sun.
And he rode Lost-Leap, the charger with whom no beast could
To smite the shield of Anseîs he galloped out apace. [race.

The red and blue he pierced it, and the hauberk-plates he broke.
He thnist botii wood and iron through the body with the stroke.
With the swift lance Lord Anseîs down on the field he bore.
The Count is dead. His season and his time of life are o'er.
Said all the Franks, ** Good baron, eril hap is on thy

CXX Then spurring on his charger Archbishop Turpin came.
A priest the like of Turpin sang never Mass before.
That wrought with his own body such mighty deeds of war.
He said unto the Paynim :

" God's curse now fall on thee.
Thou hast slaughtered my good comrade and sore it i rketh m e."
He spurred the steed aud smote the wretch on the Toledo shield
So that dead on the green herbage he struck him in the field.

Now the son of Capuel the King of Cappadocia came
From the army of the heathen, and Grandoign was his name.
He sate upon the charger that Marmorie was hight,
A steed that was far fleeter than any bird in t&^m. [rein,

He spurred the charger with the spurs. He slacked the bridle-
He rode to fight with Gerin with all his might and main.
He rent the scarlet buckler with a great stroke in the fray;
Thereafter all his hauberk he tore and shore away.
He thrust into the body his azure battle-flag,
And dead he struck Count Gerin beside a mighty crag.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 66

And his companion Gerier he likewise overthrev.
Guy of Saint Anton also, and Berenger he slew. [he,

Then forth to fell Count Austore through the battle hastened
V alentia on the Rhone that held as his own s eignory.
He smote him dead. The Faynims were joyful one and all.
Said the Franks to one another: " How fast our heroes

fall!"

CXXU A red sword had Count Roland. What lament the
Franks did make
He hearkened, and he sorrowed till his heart was like to break.
He said unto jtbe Paynim :

" God's curse fall on thee here !
Thou host slaughtered my companion. The thing shall cost

thee dear."
He spurred the charger onwards that slackened not his

pace.
Whosoe'er shall lose the battle the twain are face to face.

CXXIII Grandoign was stark and valiant and leal and keen

to fight.
He came on Roland in his way. He knew him at the sight,
Thou^ never had he seen him, because of his proud glance,
By his look and his gentle body, and by his countenance.
He could not hide his terror and had fied, but naught avaOed,
For Roland with such fury the infidel assailed
That even through the nasal all of the helm was rent.
The stroke went down right through the crown. Unto the

teeth it went.

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«J THE SONG OF ROLAND

Through the body and the hauberk of the mail the buffet flew.
On the golden selle the pommel of silver it cut throu^,
And deep into the horse b back the good sword sank amain.
And horse and man upon the field fell cloven right in twain.
There rose among the Saracens a bitter wailing yell.

Then said the Franks: "Our champion acquits him
wondrous well."

CXXrV Marvellous was the battle and £urioua_xas-the light.
Fiercely tfie Pranks struck into it in their anger and their

_ might.

They clove right through the^aynims, throu^ back and sidg

" - ' " and hand,

Through the garments of the living flesh with the keen slashing

brand.
And over the green grasses the blood went running clear.
Quoth the Saracena:

" No longer can we bçftr the battle here.
Mahomet ! on the Greater-Land black may thy curses fall,
For now before the nations her folk are best of all." ^

There was no man among them King Marsile but implored:
" Quickly to us that are in need ! ride to our aid, our lord !"

CXXV O wondrous is the battle, and terrible the tide.
The Franks with the brown-flashing spears hard into it they
The sorrow of the people there lightly might you view, [ride.
So many slain lay in their blood, deep smitten through and

through.
And outstretched or face downward on all sides were the dead.
Against the Franks the heathen no longer ndght make head.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 67

And, would they not or would they, they-lumud Hmii baulia in

flight.

And all the Franks pursued them in their jiF^igthj^fJi^Ùf

mi^t.

CXXVa Roland wrought in the battle like a good knight and

strong,
And the Franks urged their horses most gallantly along.
At gallop and h and-gallop fled the Paynims as they could. V*

The Friuiks came on. Their bodies are stained with crimson

blood.
Twisted and bent and broken are the war-swords in the hand.
They have nought save the war-homs the foemen to withstand.
Then they thought upon the trumpets and the great horns

beside,
And he who had one by him was fllled with strength and pride.
With the boms the brows and bodies and the hands and feet
Then said full many a Saracen: [they clave.

" These French are over brave.
There cometh now upon us the slaughter and the w rack."
They left the field behind them. On us they turned their back.
\ Great buffets with(the war-homfi|the Frenchmen smote alwayj"."
Even before King Marstle the line of dead men lay.

CXXVI Marsile saw how in the slaughter his men were over-
thrown. *
His clarions and trumpets, he caused then to be blown.
Then out he rode to battle with his army of the ban.
Forth rode before a Saracen. Abysmus was the man.

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68 THE SONG OP ROLAND

There was not in that anny a greater k nave than he.

Vile crimes had he committed and filthy f ^ony.

And of God, the Son of Mary, he trusted not tJie grace.

And blacker than the melted pitch was that Faynim in the face.

And hetter loved he treason and murder than to hold

At his pleasure all the treasure of the Galician gold.

Never had man beheld him to jest and laugh aloud.

Jle was a man of courage and furiousness u ncowed.

Unto the foul King Marsile was he very dear therefore.

To rally men in battle the Dragon aye he bore.

id Turpin the Archbishop would never love that i>Tght._
When he had looked upon him, he yearned the man to smite.
Under his breath the Bishop saith to himself quietly :
" A mighty heretic I deem this Saracen to be.
Better die than make no effort the villam here to slay.
Cowards to love and cowardice has never been my way."

-*CXXVII Thereat Archbishop Turpin himself began the fray.
He sate upon a charger that from Grossail he had ta'en.
A king was he that Turpin in the Danish march had slain.
He was a coursing charger and swift to ride along. [strong.
His hoofs were seemly shapen. His legs were smooth and
; In the croup t he steed was stalwart and narrow in the thigh ;
^ His flanks were long and mighty; his back was very high.

White was his tail, and yellow from his neck the mane did fall,
And tawny was bis frontlet, and his ears were fine and small.
There was no beast beneath the skies against him tiiat could
And Turpin of his chivalry he spurred the courser on. [ruDj

He slacked his hand on the bridle-rein and on the golden bit.
Until he smote Abysmus he waited not a whit.

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f V THE SONG OF ROLAND 69

To strike him on the wondrous shield against him did he bear,
Whereon vas set a great array of precious stones and (air,
Amethyst, topaz, carbuncle, and crystal flaming clear.
They were given to Âbysmus by Galdfer the E mir. __ .
(GaMfer in Val-Metas from the fiend the jevels got)
But Turpin fdl upon him and spared him not a jot.
After his stroke that buckler it was not worth a ffroat. ^
From side to side through the body Archbishop Turpin smote.
He struck him down. Said all the Franks :

** A gallant man is he.
Well eoow with the Archbishop the Holy Cross will be."

CXXVIII ** Now by your leave, lord comrade,** Roland said

to Olivier:
** This Turpin the Archbishop is a gallant cavalier —
Under the sty upon the earth better is none to fight.
Well hath he learned in battle with pike and spear to smite."

And Olivier gave answer : " Let us go unto his aid."
And at the word the battle the Franks once more assayed. _
Hard strokes, fierce thrusts the Christians bore, and agonies

most drear.
But thouj^ thereby they perish they wiU sell their lives right

dear.

CXXVIHa The Franks of France of weapons are in this

hour bereft.
No more than seven hundred of the naked swords are left.
They smite and cleave the helmets that are bo fair of sheen.
God! What a store of bucklers throng the midst are smitten
" deanl

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70 THE SONG OF ROLAND

How many helms and hauberks broken in the field remain !
How many beads and bands and feet are smitten rigbbin twain !
Said the Faynims :

" Lo, these Frenchmen they maim ua everywhere.
The man that fieeth not away of life hath httle care."
And right unto King Marsile the fiyers held their way.

" Lord King, now give us succor," unto him did they say.
When Marsile of his people the bitter cry had heard —

" Now Lord Apollo aid me," even so he spake the word :
" Greater Land, by Mahomet mayst thou now be stripped and

s trown.
Thine _arn(jJ|iaUi mine army in the battle o verthrown.
The Emperor white-bearded, the great lË^ Obartenagne,
Calabria and Apulia and Rome itself hath ta'en,
Likewise Constantinople and stalwart Saxony.
Better it were to perish than before the French to flee.
Strike, Faynims ! let no Frenchman deem himself safe at last,
'I£ Roland die, then Ch arlemagne sha Ujgse a stronghold fast,
And if he dîe^ôï^Ail-oiixJives are lost and overpast,"

CXXVnib Then stoutly with the .lances fojjghtahesej'ay-

nims unashamed.

They pierced through many bucklers with the gNot swords

that flamed._
They clove through many a helmet and many a hauberk strong.
The steel and iron together sang such a fearful song
That up into the heaven the sparks of fire flew ;
And blood and brains a-flowing there lightly might you view.
And because of this Count Roland had great dole_a nd heaviness,
As he looked on his good captains that died in their distress.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 71

And tiiereon the Count remembered the land of France again,
And he thought upon his uncle the good King Charlemagne,
And a change came o'er his spirit that he could not stop or stay.

CXXVIIIc Count Roland hurled into the press, nor ceased at

all to slay.
Durendal the good warsword drawn in his hand he bore.
How many shields he shattered and pierced and clove in four !
How many hauberks did he burst and helms in pieces beat !
How many heads hath he cloven ! How many hands and feet !
How many hundred Faynims on the field he killed in fight !
Nor was there any of them but thought himself a knight.

CXXVnid Olivier to the other side hath taken now the track.

To smite against the Faynims he ran in the attack.

And the good sword, even Haulteclair, he held it up on high.

Save Durendal, a better was not beneath the sky.

Which Roland wielded. Strongly within the fight he stood.

Unto the arms was he spattered with the vermQion blood.

" How gallant is he a vassal," said the lord OlmefT
" Woe unto to us our friendship this day shall fail us here.
It shall go in heavy sorrow. We are lost to Charlemagne.
In France shall be such aorrajt-A e *baH «e ratJ^e âg^.
There will be mai]^-»-g^Iant man his prayer for us will make.
In holy churches orisons s hall be offered for our sake
That our spirits into Paradise at last may go their course,"
He loosed therewith the bridle-rein and onward spurred

the horse.
Through the press he came to Roland. To each other did they

caU:
** Hither, comrade ! I will fail thee not unless the first I fall."

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72 THE SONG OF ROLAND

CXXIX Ah! to see Roland lift the sword, «nd likewise

Olivier!
But Turpin the Archbishop was fighting with a spear.
The number of the fallen lightly a man might tell —
In letters and in parchments is the matter written well.
The song saith more than thousands four of Saracens there fdl.
Through four attacks the Franks bore up, but heaviness and

pain

In the fifth fray overtook them. All the French Jmights were

' ' slain.

Of the host no more than sixty whom God hath spared are by;

But Nearly will they sell "their lives before they come to die.

CXXX Count P"l°Ti.^^g. tljf .i]qiigT^tpp nt \\\f ynon ^n nyoyy

He turned him unto Olivier his comrade and he cried ; [BÏde<.-

" God bless thee, lord companion. Seest thou dead on every

hand
Our brave P Sore must we weep for France the sweet and lovely
For lack of her good barons evil will be her dieer. [land.

Oh, Charlemagne, our King and friend, wherefore wast thou not
How may we send him tidings, my comrade Olivier?" [hereP

Said Ohvier:

" I know not how the thing may come to be.
But rather would I perish than that shame should come on me.**

CXXXI Said Roland:

" On the war-horn^now will I blow amain
- And if within the passes the Eang-sh^U hear it plain.
That again with the French army he will come, I will be sworn."
Olivier spake in answer :

" Thou wilt be held in scorn.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 78

And a, smirch and £reat dbhpnor on Utj. .IdsuiifiiLSroulçl be cast.
That shame would be upon them as long as life should last.
When I gave thereto my counsel, then nauj^t of it vouldst

thou.
With my good will this matter thou shalt not compaas n ow.
If thou blowest the horn, a deed thou dost the which no brave

man may.
And already those two arms of thine, scarlet with blood are

they."

Thereto the Count gave answer, " Full fair strokes did I

""" —- — smîîé?'

CXXXH And Roland said thereafter : ** Most fearful is our

fight.
I will blow ablaatthatJifl^dywiUjMhfiard of Charlemagne."
" When I urged it, friend," said Olivier». ." To Jblow thou
wouldst not deign.
If but the King.were with, us .we had-BolLâuffered so.
There lies no blame upon them that have yonder fallen low.

But by my beard 1 sweai it*: If'fagàin Béf5yH~

On Aude my gentle sister, in her arms thou shalt not Ue." ;

CXXXin Said Roland :

/^ " Wherefore at me in anger dost thou chide?'

■ /* Twas thine own doing, CQUjCade," Count Olivier replied," "
/ " For courage in good counsel with folly has no part.
/ And judgment aye is better than foolishness of heart. !

^._— -Altff because of this thy vanity, lo, .mai ^r French are slain,
And our good-dee ds for ever are iDsf to Charlemagne.

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74 THE SONG OF ROLAND

A^ hadst thou but believed me, theJ^ing'hattTôliRr'before ;
WelïEd- eCTgpasse^ Tir^îFBattie the ending of the war;
And either slain or taken King MarsUe now would be.
Ah, Roland, in thy hardihood an evil thing we see.
Thy service unto Charlemagne thou never more. aittA^ pay.
Never «hall he his like again untUthe Judgment Day. [the lip.
Thou wilt perish. At the land of France shall men shoot out
And to-day, moreover, endeth our good companionship,
woe we shall be parted or e'er come V esper-tide."

CXXXIV Swiftly Turpin galloped to them when he had

\ heard them chide.

Sipurring with gol d e n pptir g his steed ; and the twain did he

c hastise:
" 0, thou my good Lord Holand, and Lord Olivier likewise,
Now by my Grod I pray you your wrath to put away,
For in no wise the war-hora may stand om uluaJ to-<lay.
But ne'er t hcUas is it batter thereon to blow the blast.
Thither will come King Charlemagne and nvigf nt fi* *hr4***i
Never again the Spaniards lîgjife4wartad hence shall speed.
Here will our own <Jear Frenchmen dismount them from the

steed.
Here will they find us stark and dead smitten with many a

wound;

On biers upon the sumpter-beasts will they raise us from the

~~ ground.

They will m<»ini for us m piigr and in sorrow, one and all,

And hury us together within the convent-wall.

Nor wolf nor hound shall devour us, nor wild boar on us feed."

And Roland spak» m tmowc r: "Thou speakest well in-

deed."

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THE SONG OP BOLAND 75

CXXXV The migKtj horn Count Roland hath put his lips

unto.

He held it well between them, and with all bis strength he blew.

And high are aU the summits, and O the way is long.

But a full fifteen good leagues away they heard it echo strong.

And Charlemagne hath heard it, and his every knave and knight.
Said Charlemagne : " O ur henchm en have fallen on some
But Ganelon unto hm^hath spoken ih~ reply, ffight."

" Had any other said it thou wouldst take it for a Ite**

CXXXVI Even-«»-tbe Marquis Roland in agony and pain
And bitterness of sorrow blewmtèbelimTr amain.
Out of his mouth in â great spiirt the clear blood gushing went.
Of his fair brow by the effort was the temple burst and rent.
Of the war-horn that he blew on the thunder was bq great
That Charlemagne hath heard it within the mountain-gate.
Neimes the Duke hath hearkened it, and the Franks heard it

plain.

" Z hear the horn of Roland," said the Emperor Charle-
" And never would he. blow it unless a fight were on." [magne.

" There is na baiiUjjjjvar^" then answered Ganelon,
** But now thy hair is hoary and fliy Id'cWwiiitK'ttH snow.'
Thou seemest like unto a babe what time thou speakest so. ^ i '
Certes ! enough thou knowest bow great is Roland's pride.
Strange is it God hath suffered him so long while to abide.
Without thine order Nobilis the city did he win.
There sallied out against him the Saracens therein.
Against Roland the good vassal they lifted up the hand.
He delivered them to slaughter with Durendal the brand.

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76 THE SONG OF ROLAND

And the blood from the green meadowa he washed with water

~ there.
He did the thing that it might seem more fitting and more fair.
For a lone hare the war-hom all the day long doth he wind.
He rideth jesting on ahead with all his peers behind.
Under sky is none that dareth meet Roland in the fray.
My Lord the King ride onward. For wherefore should we stay?
Ye may behold the Grreater Land how far it is ahead."

CXXXVn Now the lips of the Count Roland with spurting

blood were red.
He blew upon the wai^hom in dolor a nd in pain. [magne.

And all the Frenchmen hearkened and the Emperor Charle-
And the King spake:

" Yon war~hom it hath a mighty breath.
A hero bloweth in anguish." Neimes in answer saith:

" I deem there is battle. Roland is mastered by some s leight.
This knave would tricE~thee. ^ Cry thy cry and arm thee for the
If to the gallant army succor may yet avail. [fight.

Here hast thou hearkened overlong how Roland tells the tale."

CXXXVIH Tiie Emperor his war-horns f<»t^iwitir - be- let

them geaJU—
From the steeds the Franks dismounted and girded on the steel.
The hauberks and the helmets and the great swords of gold,
And splendid shields and lances heavy and strong they hold.
With the vermilion gonfalons, and the azure and the white.
There mounted on the chargers of the army every knight.

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THE SONG OF HOLAND 77

Hot-spurred thej sped through the defile. To his fellow each

" If we may look on Roland or ever he is dead, [man said :

Then may we with him lightly deal mighty strokes and strong."

What profit in their courage P They have tarried over-

long.

CXXXIX At length the darkness lightened. The day was

coming on,
And all the armor of the host was flashing in the son.
The hauberks and the helmets shone with a mijj^ty glare,
And likewise the good bucklers with flowers painted fair,
And gleaming were the lances and the gonfalons of gold.
The £mperor in anger his way along did hold.
And the Franks were very angry, and of very evil cheer.
Was none but in his sorrow shed many a bitter tear.
For the. safety of Count Roland they were all in mighty fear,
Altd Cbarie m ag n e t h e -EmpC F o r l e t Ganclon b e Ja.'en.
To the cooks within his kitchen liëd^véred him amain.
Bégon the master of the cooks he charged most heavily.

" This fellow like a traitor do thou watch and ward for me
That betrayed my house."

And Bégon took the Count in custody.
Of the best and worst an hundred of the kitchen-fellowship
Put he o'er him, and they pulled the beard on the Count's chin

and Kp.
And every one to Ganelon with the fist four buffets gave,
And thereafter beat him nobly with the twig and with the stave.
And a mighty chain about his neck they forced the man to wear.
They chained him in no otherwise than as men chain a bear.
And high upon a sumpter-beast they set him in disdain.
Thus they kept him till they gave him to the hands of Charle-
magne.

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78 THE SONG OP ROLAND

/CXL parklioft a re all the summtts and very great and high,
And deep are all the valleys and the streams run swift thereby.
In van and rear the war-horns sounded up and down the track ;
To the great horn of Roland they gave their answer back.
And aye they prayed unto their God that Roland he would

shield,
Tin they wer&.come unto him upon the battle-field. [strong?

They will strike with him verày. What worth that they are
Naught worth ! They may not come in time. They have tar-

ried overlong.

CXLI And Charlemagne the Emperor in mighty anger sped.
Down on his battle-hauberk his great white beard it spread.
In fiery faaste along with him the Prankish barons spurred.
There was no man among them but spoke a bitter word,
Por that with the Captain Roland they were not standing then.
What time he joined the battle with the Spanish Saracen.
Of his host, if be be wounded, no soul alive will be.
Ah, what a gallant sixty yet keep him company!
There is no king or captain hath better men than he.

CXLn - Over the heaths and mountains looked Roland every

way,
And he saw dead upon the field how thick the Frenchmen lay.
And like unto a courteous kni^t sore he bewailed t heir case :

** Ah now my fair lord barons ! God grant you His sweet
And permit unto your spirits His Paradise to share ; [grace.
And cause you to lie down among the holy flowers there.
A better sort of vassal I never yet did see.
Por a great time good service have ye ever yielded me.
Por the Emperor many nations ye conquered in your power ;
But he undertook your governance in a very evil hour.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 79

land of France, mj country that is so sweet and bright, ^
To-day hast thou lost forever full many a gallant knight.
Lords of the Franks I saw you, how for my sake ye fell;
And I could not defend you nor send you s uccor w ell.

May God who never lieth henceforth have you in His hand.
But Olivier my comrade now with thee will I stand.

1 will perish of this sorrow, if here I be not slain.
Ho! now my lord companions, let us into it again!"

_ y'

CXLUI And forthwith the Count Roland hied h im down into
Like to a furious hero the warsword did he wield. [the field.

And Falhron of the Peak that tide through the midst he c loye
And four and twenty others of the best he overthrew, [in two ;
Never was man in vengeance had more fearful a delight.
Even as the stag that runneth before the hounds in flight,
Even..so before Count Roland the Paynim army fled.

" Thoii dost thj^dttby i ai riy , ' '-dhgghbi9hop Turpjn said. \
" It iB"thi»TOrtTïf-t!Ouràge every km^it^ should -have indeed. \
That beareth any armor and sitteth on a steed. |

He ought in the high battles both stout and B^rk to be.
Otherwise are four f arthings of better worth than he.
A monk in a monastery he should hide himself away,
And pray for our deliverance from our lU deeds each day."
Roland answered :

" Smite and spare not." They began again the war;
But in the fray tfae Christians a mighty loss they bore.

CXLIV When that there was no quarter was known to every

wight,
There was no man but furiously went down into the fight. '

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80 THE SONG OF ROLAND

And therefore all the Frenchmen like lions w ood w ere they.

Lo ! now is come King Marsile like a hero of Ùie fray.

On the steed Gaignon spurring hard, he came, and hath o'er-

Bevon that was the hero of Dijon and of Beaune. [thrown

He burst right through the hauberk; the shield he broke in

Without ado the hero he struck him down amain ; [twain.

And Ivoris, moreoTer, and Ito hath he slain,

And Gerard of RoussiDon t herewith. Roland not far was he.

He said unto the Fajnim :

*' The Lord God's curse on thee !
With little right or reason my comrades didst thou slay.
Thou shalt feel my heaviness of hand, e'er we depart this day;
And thou shalt know, moreover, the name of this my brand."

Like a knight he went to smite him and cut off his right

hand.
And then he has smitten oiF the head of Jo rfal eu the Fair. ^
Of the Saracen King Marsile he was the son and heir.
The Paynims cried :

" Mahomet aid ! Our gods on Charlemagne
Wreak vengeance for the villains he marshalled- into -Spain.
Rather than yield the battle-field unto us, will they die."

Said one unto the other: " Then forthwith let us fly."
At the word an hundred thousand, to the rear they took the

track.
Never more will they turn again, whoever calls them hack.

CXLIVa King Mnriilo his rjght hand hath l"?tj fliTIff -Tn^falpii

lies dead.
To earth he cast the shield. The steed sharply he spurred, and

fled.

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THE SONG OP ROLAND 81

He loosed the rein away to Spain. An hundred thousand
Was the number of the flyers that went with him along, [strong
There was not one among them but he was wounded sore.
Said each to each : " The nephew of King Charles hath won

the war."

CXLV WhatjîiofiUàkJf^tfilBileJiis flight away^hath ta'en?
Yet doth his erne the AJg^[if_upon the field remain.
He ruled in Cartagena, Alfeme and Qarraalie,
And E^io^a accursed, and in his seignory
Was the Negro race. Great noses and mighty ears hare they.
And more than fifty thousand were gathered for the fray.
And they came riding thither in mighty wrath and proud.
The wai^cry of the Paynims they lifted up aloud.
Cried Roland:

" Unto martyrdom now are we given o'er.
In my heart I understand it that we shall live no more.
But let him be accursed his life that sells not dear
Now with the shining war-sword smite every cavalier.
Now with a mighty challenge your life and death defend,
That ne'er on the sweet realm of France through you shall

shame descend.
When to the field hereafter cometh King Charlemagne,
And seeth of the Paynims what a multitude are slain,
And that for every one of us fifteen of them are dead,
H» will not cease from pouring his blessings on our head."

^^A^ext^

iVI But when that the Count Roland had seen the
accursM race,
Whereof each man of them than ink was blacker of his face.

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82 THE SONG OP ROLAND

(Save for the teeth was ever; man among them even bo)
Then spake the Count :

" Nev Teril; I understand and know
That every man among us shall pewdt-mi^thw-^gy:
Strike, Franks ! Anew in your behalf will I take up the fray."
Quoth Olivier : " Misfortune on the faint-hearted li^t,"
And at the word the Frenchmen hurled down into the fight.

CXLVn When the Faynims saw the.-£xKtfll»aM.-that their
number was so snudi}
In comfort and in jojancethey cheered them one and all.

" Grod is not with the Emperor," one to the other said.

lere was the Algalif , that sate upon a charger red. [rear

With the golden spurs be spurred him, and running from the
Full in the back a dreadful stroke he smote on Olivier.
And the white hauberk on him from his body there he clove ;
Through his breast forth of the breast-bone the bitter lance he
Thereto he said unto him : [drove.

" Thou hast ta'en thy stroke of fate.
In an evil hour King Charlemagne hath left thee in the gate.
He hath wrought us wrong exceeding, but thereof he shall not

boast,
For well enough on thee alone have I avenged our host."

— >Th«

CXLVni And Olivier knew forthwith that his death wound

he bore.
Before he should avenge' himself he would not tarry more.
On high he lifted Haulteclair whereof the steel flashed brown.
On the Algalifs bright golden helm he brought the great strokes

down.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 88

At a blow the gems and flowers unto the ground he sped ;
And straight into two pieces he cloTe the Paynim's head.
He brandished o'er the Algalif, and slew him at the stroke.

" My curse upon thee, Paynim." Thus he thereafter spoke:
" I say not that no loss at all is come on CharleBoagne ;
But unto any woman thou wilt not go again
To boast thyself in any way in the country of thy birth ,

I How thou hast ta'en from Charlemagne a single farthing's

worth.
Nor the havoc that on others and upon me thou hast made."
After he called to Roland that he might bring him aid.

CXLIX That his sore wound was mortal, Olivier knew in-
wardly ;
But he deemed that it Was not enough himself avenged to be.
Once more to smite l^e-a g ood knig fatTirtO the press he wheeled.
f There he cut through the lances and many a buckled shield,
! And fist and foot and shoulder, and likewise many a side.
'iWho that champion a-heinng at the Saracens descried,
And hurling down their bodies o'er each other in a pile,
The deeds of a good vassal might keep in mind the while.
And still not yet could he forget Charlemagne's battle-cry.
" Mount joy !" he kept a-shouting in a clear voice and high.
And to Roland his good comrade with a loud voice did he say :
" Draw nigh, fair friend. In sorrow we twain must part this

day."

CL Roland looked upon Olivier, that was livid and pale and
The dear blood from his body, forth in a spurt it ran. [wan.

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84 THE SONG OP ROLAND

Down to the ground went dropping tlie great clots of the gore.
" God !" said Count Roland, " What to do I know not any
Lord comrade, might; evil has wrought thy chivalry. [more.
Of his body none for courage shall ever equal thee.
Sweet land of France , how barren art thou this day, and Waste
Of all tiiy gallant Heroes, and confounded and disgraced.
The Emperor in this slaughter will have great loss indeed."
The word he scarce had spoken when he fainted on the

steed.

CLI Lo t nnwj^a TWaiiyfia Brlfinil iTB hit rhnri^r in 4 ^wound, __
And likewise the Lord Olivier that hath a mortal wound.
And bis eyes are growing troubled (his blood has run so free).
The far and near no longer could the knight clearly see,
Nor had he longer power to know any mortal q»d. — —
And^phen on the CoUnt-Rt^nd his comrade dear he ran,
On Ihe^tdmet gemmed and goIiteirhe'SoteTum'Som above,
And the whole of the good helmet from the nasal down he clove,
/ But the head it did not injure. Roland looked up at the stroke
-' And unto his companion in a gentle voice he spoke :

" Of thy free-will, my brother, thus dost thou smite me here?
Wottest thou that I am Roland who holdeth thee so dear?
- Neither in any fashion yet bast thou challenged me."
Said Olivier:

" I hear thee speak. I got no sight of thee.
God keep thee! If I,smote thee thy pardon will I cry."

And Roland spoke m^MBWen' "

" No hurt I have thereby.
Here I give thee my pardon, and before our God on high."
And at the word each champion bowed bis head before his peer.
And thus it was they parted that each other held so dear.

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THE SONG OF BOLAND 85

CLII OIÎTÏer felt come o'er him death and its agony.

His eyes were whirling in his head. He could not hear or see.

Down from the steed he got him, and on the ground did lie.

Of the Ul deeds of his doing he confessed him loud and hi^ -^ '

That he might enter Paradise to Grod he made his prayer.

He gave his benediction to Charles and France the fair,

And to his comrade Roland over all the sons of men.

But his heart failed within him and his head he lowered then.

And therewith aU his body along the ground it spread.

It was no skill to tarry. Coun ty Qli vier_w a8 dead .

Roland bdield and wept âlôud7ltinientingin~his woe.

Nevorye saw upon the earth a man that sorrowed so.

But when looked the Count Roland on his dead friend
in the place,

And saw him how he lay there that eastward turned his face,
He gan softly to bewail him :

*' HI for thee, good cavalier,
Was thy might. We were together for many a day and year.
Never ill service gavest thou me, nor I to thee did give.
Now thou art dead, great evil I deem it^Ut^t.! live.'î ___ , - - -
In the sorrow that he suffered a y roun^ iponnipt came,
Where he sate upon the charger that vammt had to name.
But in the stirrups of fine gold fimdy were set his feet.
He could not whereso'er he went slip downwards from the seat.

CLIV Scarce had he come unto himself and wakened from his ,

,. , .^iwound,^
When the greatness of the slaughter was clear to him svo^id::'

The Franks. w^re- dead. The azm^ wm Ifft ^ 'h"''nij

Save for Archbishop Turpin and Walter-a-Hume alop<e.

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86 THE SONG OF ROLAND

Fnmi the mount that came, where nobly he had fought the men

of Spain.
The SaxQcen had won the finj mnd nil h-'H-JUPTi .vsTfi slain.
He âed into the Valley, whether or no it be gainsaid.
And he shouted unto Roland that he should bear him aid :

" O gentle Count and valiant man, I prithee where art thouP
Afraid would I be never, if I were with thee now.
I am Walter that o'er Maelgut got once the overtiirow,
The nephew of Lord Droûn with the beard as white as snow.
I was wont to be thy comrade, for my spirit did not quail.
Now lance and shield are shattered, and broken is my mail.
I am thrust through the body with lances overwell ;
But myself unto the Saracens right dearly did I sell."

When that he heard Lord Walter's word, the man Count
Roland knew, •
And spurring up the charger unto the knight he drew.

CLIVa " Lord Walter," said Count Roland, '* I deem thou
hast been in fight.
Thou faaat fought very bravely as becomes a gallant knight.
A thousand valiant cavahers to the battle didst thou lead.
Give them to me, for of them I have most bitter need."
And Walter answered :

" Living shalt thou never see them more.
I have left them dead behind me on that d olorous field of war.
There found we at encoimter a great army Saracen,
Persisms and Turks and Arabs and the Armenian men,
Algolans and men of Beda. Fiercely we fought that host.
No Faynim to another thereof shall make his boast ;
For of them sixty thousand-dead on the field remain.
But there in that same battle all of our Franks were slain.

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THE SONG OP ROLAND 8T.

For oorselTes vith the swordii of iron we wrought a vengeaace

Of the hauberk here upon me broken is every plate. [gi^eat.

And I have wounds a-plenty my flank and side about.

From all parts of my body the clear blood spurteth out.

And everywhere I weaken and I deem that I shall die.

^"li T nf"*" **""• *"' dsUYfiunii'*> , ftii* tiby nwmii iiimi wiii T, \

And pritJtee do not-blamciofi that fr"*" **"^ fight I fled."

" Nay ! never will I do it," in answer Roland said,
" Thou hast suffered much» comptuÙQU» and a great agony, /
But so long as life endureth, lend thou thine «udl;o me."

CLV Roland was filled with anger and likewise bitter wrath.
Again into the battle he began to hew his path.
There hath he given to slaughter twenty of the men of Spain,
And six were killed by Walter, and five hath Turpin slain.

" These be ill knaves," said the Faynims, " Hence alive let
them not flee.
Who comes not up against them, accursed let him be.
And a vile knave who lets them scape." They raised the hue

and cry.
And now from every quarter to the onslaught they drew nigh.

CLVI Froud is the Marquis Roland, and hardy is his heart.
Walter-a-Hume beside him like a good knight played his port ;
And Turpin the Archbishop is a good man and tried;
In no way any of the thr ee would Ica veliia fellow's side.
They thrust into the heathen press in courage and in might.
A thousand of the Faynims from their horses did alight. Jf
But a fuH forty thousand upon their steeds were tiiiere, / \
In my belief that nearer to approach them did not dare.

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88 THE SONG OP ROLAND

At the Franks tlie spears and lances were the; hurling and the
The throwing-dart and jarelm, the arrow and the pike. [like,
And there at the first voUeyW^er-a-HuineJhey slew.
Turpin of TthBtesTÎ8~ti5cSer they pierced it. through and

through.
They have broken through his helmet and wounded sore his
And as for his good hauberk they rended it and shred. [head,
And right into his body four spears were driven grim.
And the Faynims slew, moreover, the charger under him.
It was an evil hour when the Bishop bit the dust.

CLVn When he knew that he was stricken, and four spears
were through him thrust
Swiftly he leaped unto his feet, and to Roland turned his head.
And forthwith ran unto him. But a single word he said :
" Not yet am I beaten. XÀving no true man e'er is ta'en."
Almace, the great brown blade of steel, he plucked it out amain.
A thousand strokes in the great press he dealt there to and fro.
Thereafter said King Charlemagne that h£jci-iuii_any,go.
A fi3l foui liûiïSiwrLùrpsës about him ther e were found.
None was there but was cloven through orbore'lrikadljCJEQiind.
And from some the heads were smitten (in the Deed Book is it
And they that were upon the field likewise attested it) . [writ.
Saint Giles the knight, in whose behoof God wrou^t His
In Laon Monastery the matter did relate. [wonders great.

And he who speaketh other, thereof he knoweth naught.

CLVIH Meanwhile the Marquis Roland in fearful guise he

fought.
But his body was all sweating and burning as with fire.
His head was like to break in twain with an agony most dire.

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THE SONG OP HOLAND 89

And broken were his temples for the blowing of the blast,
But he^jeamed to know the tidings whether Charles would come
- - atlast.

He drew the great horn to him; thereon he feebly blew.
The Emperor halted in the pass. The trumpet call he knew.
" My lords," said he, " Most certainly we are in evil way.
Couot^M^di iny gl>"d q y phfw^ I'a Inat in iia thia da y.
I knewLJiim by his hinwjng that hin h'fi in in iiilj gnnr
Whosoe'er would reach the battle let him prick his charger on.
Blow each horn in the army."

There blew sixty thousand strong.
Bellowing from vale to mountain echoed the sound along.
The Faynims heard. "Hiey jested "not m)m; e Hu ng, that refrain.
Said one unto the other : " A% hand is Charlemagne."

CLIX Said the Faynims :

** Once more hither the Emperor draws near.
And of the Frankish army the war-horns ye may hear.
If Qi arlc m agn e rctuni^th we shall be smitten sore;
And if Count Roland liveth he will wage anew the war;
And Spain is taken from us thaï ffas our oWn'goodTeidm.**

Forthwith % full f our^undrcd were gathered under helm.
The fieics^At-SSldiecs on.JLbe field in fury made attack
Upon the Marquis Roland that labor did not lack.

CLX But when the Marquis Roland beheld them how they
Then was he fierce and mighty and ready for the game, [came.
Nor will he yield him to them while life within him stirs.
He leaped on Valiant and pricked him with the good golden

spars.

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90 THE SONG OF ROLAND

And rushed to slaughter 'mid the press, and with him Turpin

sped.
" Flee hence away, good comrades," each to each the Fay-

nims said.
" Of the French host the war-horns je may hear them far and

wide.
Hither again doth Charlemagne the mighty Emperor ride."

CLXI Count Roland loved no craven nor proud nor haughty
Nor ever any cavalier that was not a faithful knif^t. [wight.
He called to Bishop Turpin :

" Lo ! on thy feet art thou,
And I a-horse ; of charity I will halt beside thee now.
Let us abide together the evil and the good.
, I will not quit thee for any that is made of flesh and blood.
This day in this same battle well shall the Faynims know.
The name of the sword Almace and Durendal also."

" 'Tis a knave his best who strikes not," Turpin said to him

again.
" At his return great toll tor us shall take King Charlemagne."

CLXH Said the Paynims :

" Very evil was our fortune to be bom.
And the day was very dreadful that broke for us this mom.
We had sore loss of many a lord and many a gallant peer.
With his great host Charles the Captain again retumeth here.
We hearken the clear war-bom of the Frenchmen blowing hif^.
Loud is the thunder of Mountjoy that is their battle-cry.
As for the Marquis Roland so terrible is he,
- Tlwt-notin fi ght by mortad-aian é^erj^n qu ishcd will he be.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 91

Give him now room; cast at him, standing from him apart."
At him vas many a jarelin flung, and many a throwing

dart.
And many a feathered arrow and many a lance and spear.
They pierced and rent his buckler, and made havoc o£ his gear.
They hurt not Roland's body, but the steed Valiant through
They smote in thirty places, and 'neath the Count they slew,
tëy let him bide and swiftly they turned away in flight,
toland was left there standing upon the field of fight.^.^-

CLXm "Ë1 sore haste fled th£.£ayilij?is and in anger and in

wrath.

Hard hack into the land of Sjuuipj now h^ve. tl)€l turned their
In no wise did Count Roland follow upon their course. [path.
He had lost within the battle Viciant his gallant horse ;
And, would he not or would he, in the place afoot lie stayed.
Unto Archbishop Turpin he went to bear him aid.
And he unlaced, moreover, the golden helmet bright.
And he loosened the white hauberk, so fair that was and light.
He divided the good tunic, and many a woimd he dressed
With pieces of the garment and bound them with the rest.
Then to hie heart the Bishop he held in an embrace,
And down he softly laid him in a green grassy place
And gently prayed;

" Ah, goodly man, give me thy leave to go !
Our comrades whom we held so dear have met their overthrow.
We must not leave them. I will seek and find them where they

be,
And bring them straightway hither, and rank them here by

■ thee."

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9S THE SONG OF ROLAND

Said Turpin the Archbishop :

" Go and return apace.
Thou and I have won the battle through God's exceeding

grace."

CLXIV Then Roland turned from Turpin. Alone throu^
the field he bJ*^-

He searched along the rallej ; he searched the mountain-side.

On Ivoris and Ito and Gerier he fell,

And Gerin his good comrade, and Berenger as veil.

On Othon and on Samson and Ansdis came he,

And likewise upon Engelier the man of Gasconj.

And with them Gerard the old man of Roussillon he found.

And <Hie by one the barons he lifted from the ground,
' And forth unto the Bishop each one of them he bore.
I In a long rank he ranged them the Bishop's knees before,
-"^^ That could not keep from weeping. But he lifted up his hand
[ And blessed them and said :

I " Lord barons, in evil stead ye stand.

' By the great God now may your souls be raised up and ta'en,

And amid the holy flowers be suffered to remain.

"In very bitter anguish my death comes over me,

And nevermore King Charlemagne the splendid will I see."

^ CLXV Count Boland o'er the battle field went seeking far
And at the last discoxeredjtis comrade Olivier. [and near>

And straitly to bis bosom he clasped-the dead man there.
And as he might with the body to the Bishop did he fare.
On a shield beside his fellows he laid the dead to rest.
And there Azchbisfaop. Turpin has abâobrediheiQ.all and blest.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 98

And now his pain find pit; waxed great without an end.
" Oh Olivier," said Roland, " my fair and lovely friend,
Thou wert son to the Duke of Genoa the gallant lord Rainier.
To batter through the buckler, to shatter the strong spear,
To overthrow the arrogant and to dismay their pride,
And gallant men and heroes to counsel and to guide,
The villains aye to conquer and to fill them with a£Fright,
Ne'er in the girth of all the earth was there a better knû

CLXVI But when Count Roland cast his eye on the corpse of

'^c i t ch dead -pëCT',"

And on Olivier, moreover, whom he had held so dear.
Then straightway he began to weep, he felt such tenderness ;
And the color ofWs visage was changed~hi to d i rtress.
He had so great a somnr that its~likë might not be found.
And, would he not oi^ would he, he fainted on the ground.

Said Turpin unto Roland: "Thou art come- on an evil

day."

CLXVn When well had the Archbishop seen how Roland

swooned away.
Then sorrowed he so bitterly that so greatly none might mourn.
He reached his hand to Roland and got hold upon the horn.
There was in Roncevaux hard by a running water spring.
He would go there that water to Roland he might bring.
He put great force upon him. And on his feet he got.
With little steps and feeble he went tottering towards the spot:
He was so weak he might not walk. He had lost such store of

blood
That he had no strength or courage. Ere he had gone a rood

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THE SONG OF ROLAND

His heart gave way within him. Forward he fell again ;
And his own death came on him in a great burst of pain.

CLXVIIl Meanwhile the Marquis R oland ont^ fji»- s woniid __
Upon his feet be got him, buLgtie voi trir efo h i » w o e» , ^£^ose.
AboTe him and below him his ejes wandered away.
Beyond his friends on the green grass he saw where Turpin lay,
That good baron the Archhbhop, God's embassador. On hi^
Looked Turpin and confessed him with his eyes unto the sky.
He prayed God to enter Heaven. Charlemagne's knight was

dead.

By the great fights he fought in, by the good words that he said,
Ever against the Paynims had he kept up the war.
His Holy Benediction God give to him therefor.

CLXIX B><dc»d locJced n n th » A rrl i H n h n p rrh i ii ht Triyn pftn
And saw out of ^o body tb aJapyelg jpishing forth. [the earth,
He saw o» the TcnMoiehead the brains come bubhUng through,
And flowing down upon his breast'l^twêen his shoulders two.
The two white hands togètEèrTïë'crÔBsëd'that were bo-^mt.
After the custom of the land he mourned for Turpin there :
" Ah ! man of fair conditions and lineage great and high,
This day to God I give thee, the ruler of the sky.
Never man did His service than thou more willingly.
None was since the apostles so great in prophecy ;
Nor to keep the law of Christians, nor heathen to convert.
May now thy spirit therefore suffer no kind of hurt.
Of Paradise may now the gates for thee be open thrown."

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 96

CLXX Count Roland knew in spirit that fais own death came
--■-■■ ^ on.

For his own hrains in that Iwarjwere bunting from his ears.

ThaTËrôdnilgEEÏakê^thcm-to-Hùa^e prayèdT^raOhe peers.

Then to the Angel Gabriel for his own sake he prayed.

He seized the horn thafno' reproach agàînàtlum might be made,

And Durendal the war-sword in the other hath he ta'en.

Farther than crossbow shoots the bolt into the land of Spain

To a meadow and a hillock in the meadow mounted he.

There were four great steps of marble under a noble tree,
j^^d down on the green herbage backward he fell thereby.
[There hath fae swooned and fainted, for fais death drew very

CLXXI Oh lofty were the mountains and tall the trees each

one.
Tfaere were four great steps fasfaioned of glistening marble-
stone.
But there spied on him a Saracen tfaat deatfa nearby had

feigned,
Lying with the dead. His body and his face with blood were

stained.
Forthwith he got upon his feet. He hasted and he ran.
He was beautiful and mighty and a very hardy man.
And anger rose within him for his heart was full of pride.
He seized on Roland's body and his weapons, and he cried :

" Van9,uished is €hw4ttB.'«jiephew. His. STord now will I take
To Araby."

As fae toucfaed it, somewfaat the Count did wake.

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J>6 THE SONG OF ROLAND

CLXXH Rola^dXelt how the PayiùmjitroTe_.yiM_toJift the
He oped hia eyes, and to him said but a single word : X^w^rd.

" Thou art afte r my deeming no s oldier of our host."
He KftcilTïpTEé war-nom that ^ had' not hghtly lost.
Right on the jewelled helmet he smote him such a stroke
That he shattered all the iron, and brow and skull he broke.
Both of the eyes together were beaten from his head.
Ri^it^at the feet of Roland was the Faynim stricken dead.

" To lay thine hand upon me," said he, " thou Faynim knave,
With right or else with unright, what made thee now so brave?
For a fool all men hereafter shall hold thee now in scorn.
Broken into many pieces is the great bell of mine horn
The jewels and the gold-work are wrenched away and torn.*'

CLXXm Well knew the good Count Roland that his death
was hard at hand.
His strength he strove to gather, and on his feet did stand.
The color from his visage forth was driven and dispelled.
And in his hand the naked brand, even Durendal, he held.
Before him was a great brown stone amidmost of his path.
Ten strokes he smote upon it in agony and wrath.
G rided t he steel but broke not. No notch was on the blade.
" Ah," said the Count, " Saint Mary come now unto my aid.

fAh, Durendal! good war-sword, evil is thy destiny.
The day whereon I lose myself I cannot care for thee.
Many battles I won with thee, many lands did overthrow,
Where now doth reign King Charlemagne with the beard as
, white as snow.
Mayst thou ne'er be his possession, for another that wUl flee.
For it was a good vassal that a long time carried thee.
In the land of France another his like there will not be."

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 97

CLXXIV Roland upon the sardine s tone a mighty stroke let
Grided the steel but broke not, nor was it notched at all. [fall.
And when he had beheld it that the sword he could not break,
Unto himself a bitter moan he then began to make:

" O Durendal, how art thou so beautiful and white!
Flashing and flaming in the sun thou scatterest the light.
What time Charlemagne hod halted in the Vale of Maurienne,
God out of Heaven an angel sent down unto him then, i

And bade him to a noble count a gift to make of thee. ' '

And the gentle King and might; girded thee there on me. . . ," ^ i
For him I won all Brittany, Anjsp, Poitou, and M aine, ' ' /

And the free land of Normandy, Froyance and Aquitain. ^ " /
The Roman March and L^boxdy I conquered to lus hand, . /
I won beside B avari a and all tJie Flemish land. -

Bulgaria and P(Ja^ by me were overthrown,
Also Con stantino ple that Charles for king did own.
All Saxony, moreover, his whole behest hath done.
And Irgland, Wides and S cotlan d for Charlemagne I won,
And the En glish i sland likewise, that he took of his own right.
A many lands ^cl nations I conquered in the fight,
That now are the possession of white-bearded Charlemagne.
Wherefore I suffer for this sword great pity and great pain.
I had rather die than a Faynim should win it by ill chance.
Fair God! let such dishonor fall. never upon France."

CLXXV Again the sword of Roland down on the dark stone
He smote more oft and harder ti«» I-knoiEJiOF to tell. [feU.
Grided the sword tipon the «tone, but-shatterad-not nocbroke.
Back again into heaven it rebounded from the stroke.
And when the Count beheld it that unbroken was the blade,
Then very softly to himself his sore complaint he made :

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98 THE SONG OP ROLAND

" Ah, Durendal ! how holy and virtuous art thou !
Within thy golden p onmiel r elics the re are enow.
The tooth of good Saint Peter, and Saint Basil's hlood are
\ ^ And of my Lord Saint Denis a lock of sacred hair, [there,

^ ,y ^ And of the Virgin's vesture a little part and share.
\ A pojgession of the Paynims thou augj^test not to be.
"El hattle s&cRiM a-Oirislian forever carry tKèëV
JiiiiJSfs.yiio man that beaxt tlwe erer have "a coward's name,
For many were the Tif^iff"" *^'*' »'Hi-thiwr-T^nTMFi'»iinp^
Wherein ^oth reign King Charlemagne with the great heard

like a flower.
Strong thereby is the Emperor and full of utter power."

■"* -' CLXXVI When Roland knew his death hour how hard on
y> him it pressed,

And that death was slowly ' creeping from his brow unto his
Under a pine he hastened, and down his body laid [breast,

On the green grass. Breath him he placed his horn and blade.
And unto the great land of Spain he turned his head away.
He did the thing for sore he yearned that Charlemagne mij^t

say
And all his host : " A conqueror the gallant Count has died."
And he made confession duly and for forgiveness cried,
And his glove to God he offered for the ill deeds he had done.

CLXXVn When well had Roland seen it that his time of life
, was gone,

There abode he on the mountain-peak that tumeth unto Spain ;
There with one hand his bosoni he smote on it amain :

f Forgive Thou mine iniquities of Thy mercy one, and all,
Al^of my evil doings, the great ones and the small

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 99

That I have done upon the earth since the daj that I was bom
Unto this day, wherein I was much smitten and forlorn." ■

His right glove to Crod in Heaven he reached it up on high,
And God His angels to him flew down out of the skj. _^

CLXXVIH Count Roland neath a pinç-tree down on the ^

ground has lain,
And far away he turned his glance unto the land of Spain.
And many things together were remembered of the knight :
What â great store of nations he had conquered in the fight.
He thought on the sweet land of France and of his kindred dear,
And on Charlemagne his master that e rewhile did him rear.
And he could not keep from sobbing, and he wept in bis distress.
Yet he let not his spirit perish Ûl. forgetfulness.
For he prayed to God for mercy, and his guilt aloud he cried
Clearly to God :

" Ah very God that never yet hath lied,
Ah, God! who brought Saint Lazarus in glory from the grave.
Who succor 'gainst the lion to the Prophet Daniel gave.
Guard me from evil and the sins within my life that stand."
/' He strove to Grod to proiFer the glove of his right hand.
But from him was it taken by the Angel Gabriel. [ffll!

The head of the Count Roland on his shoulder drooped and
His hands were crossed together as his end came over him ;
But God hath sent unto him His holy c herubi m.
Saint Michael-of-the-Peril-of-the-Sea was come likewise \
With Gabriel, and Roland they bore up to Paradise. // y

- '"---- --■ iff"""'" ""

CLXXIX .ItQlan<t-iriiéâd. . Hi8...^»nt-ha^Jirod in Heaven
The Emperor to Rjoncevaux witJi the army came again, [ta'en.

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) 100 THE SONG OF ROLAND

Nor track, Dor path, nor open space, nor grove, nor a foot of

ground
Was there but the dead Fajnims and the dead Franks were

found.
"Where art thou, my fair nephew?" called the Emperor

" Where now b the Archbishop? Olivier where is he? .___

Gerier, Gerin, Othon and the Count Berengier?
And Ivoris and Ivo that are to me so dear?
What matter doth to Engelier of Gasconj betideP
What hath befallen Samson and Anseïs full of pride?
Gerard the Lord of Roussillon, where may tixe old man be?
The twelve peers of the army that I left^diiadjàth thee?"
What profits it? Was no one to answer and reply, [am I
" Christ God !" said the King Charlemagne, " In evil case
< That I was not come thither when this hard fight began." [man.

~- -^ [ He plucked and tore at his great beard^as doth an angry ,
And so^he Vept, and with him all the horsemen of the Franks.
There were twenty thousand on the ground that fainted in the
For whom exceeding pity did the Duke Neimes bear. [ran^ji^^W.

CLXXX There was not any chevalier nor any baron there,
That for duty and for sorrow' ■brrtrwïtff'Wèepîngwithuul end,.
For «on and brother and nephew, for liege lord and for friend.
Upon the ground had fallen in a swound the greater part.
But now did the Duke Neimes like a man of gallant heart.

" Two leagues from us look onwards,** he, first of all, did say
To Charlemagne, " Thou mayst behold the dust rise in the way.
There is a host remaining yet to the Faynim foe.
March on, my master Charlemagne. Do thou avenge our woe."

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 101

" Godi" said the King, " Already ore they for upon their

flight.

Let ever; man strive to restore mine Jionoi.ajid my right.

Of the French reahn'the flower they have snatchedit from mine

To Geboin and Otho the King gave his command [hand."

And to Tybalt of Rheims, moreover, ant^Milo the good Count.

" Gruard ye the field of battle, the valley and the mount.
Fven as they fell in battle do ye now let them lie.
Unto them let no lion nor any beast draw nigh,
Nor squire, nor knave, nor any man shall to the place come near,
UntQ by God's good pleasure the host retumeth here."

" Just Emperor ! We will do thy will." They answered

sofUy then

Of their great love. They kept with them a thousand of their

1 men.

XCLXXXI King Charlemagne thereafter let all his trumpets

♦ blow.
Tbenforth-sith.^ tile line of war di d the g reat Emperor go.
Upon the traces of the foe then cÛd the army fall.
In the hard chase of the Faynims they hastened one and all.
But when that night was coming on King Charlemagne had
île alighted in a meadow upon the grasses green. [seen.

He bowed to earth. He prayed to God that the sun's course

He would stay.
That the night still might tarry and yet remain the day.
And lo ! an angel that was wont to speak with him at hand. j
Unto the Emperor Charlemagne swiftiy he gave command.
" Charlemagne, march ! In no way the light shall f aO foif

thee.
Ciod knoweth thou hast lost the flower of the Frankish chivalry.^

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THE SONG OF HOLAND

Vengeance upon the caitiff race is given thee indeed."

When the Emperor bad heard it, be leaped upon the steed.

^-<^ CLXXXII Now God for the King Charlemagne a mincie
/ . hath done,

I For in the sky unmoving a space remained the sun. [on;

And the Paynims fled ; the Frenchmen hard on their heels came
And in the Vale of Darkness the; overtook them in their flight.
On to Saragossa they smote them in the furj of their might.
Ever the Franks marched slaying, dealing great strokeg of

" wrath.
And they blocked up every highway and every bridle-path.
The Waters of the Ebro are before the foe at last.
Exceeding deep is the river and tbe current wondrous fast.
There was no barge, nor dromond., nor ferry by the shore.
Beseechingly the Faynims began straightway to implore
Termagant their god for succor. And therewith plunged they
But in no way or fashion deliverance might they win. [in

Of them that were armed heavily at once a-many sank,
And many struck out vainly to reach the other bank.
Down stream some swam. The luckiest a deal of water draiik
And in great pain and anguish they all were cast away.
Said the Franks: " Te looked on Roland in a very evil day."

CLXXXni Then Charles looked on the Faynims that dead

lay all around,
Some that were slain in battle and the other moiety drowned.
His cavaliers much treasure in that hard 6ght had ta'en,
And the good King descended from off the steed again.
He bowed to earth and gramercy unto his God he said.
And when he rose from prayer at last the sun had fled.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 108

Charlemagne spake :

" The hour for camping doth betide.
I deem that it is OTerlate to Roneevauz to ride.
Our steeds are worn and weary. Loose the hridle and the s elle.
Let them rest them in the meadows.'^

Said the Franks : " Thou sayest well."

CT.XXXTV Twixt V alteme^ and the Ebro camped the
Emperor Charlemagne.
The Franks thereby dismounted in the middle of the plain.
They took the golden bridles and the saddles from the steeds.
Where was abundance of green grass they loosed them in the

meeds.
More they might not do for them. So weary was each wifiht
That he fell asleep upon the ground. No watch was set that

night.

CLXXXV The Emperor in the meadow upon the earth him
Beside his hea^J in that hour he put his mighty blade. [laid.

He would not in that night put off the armor that he bore.
The white-embroidered hauberk likewise the Emperor wore.
He had laced on the good helmet with the gold and jewels brave.
He had girt on the sword Joyous — was never such a glaîve ;
And there shot thirty different hues each day from the great

sword.
We have heard of the lance that wounded upon the cross our

Lord.
By God His grace the spear-head was come to Charlemagne's

hand.
He had it wrought into the gold of the pommd of the brand.

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104 THE SONG OF ROI^iND

For that glory and that goodness, Joyous the sword was hi^t,
And it should not be forgotten of any Frankish knight, \

For thereby the great battle-cry the shout Mountioy have
Wherefore no other nation may face them in the fray. [they,

CLXXXVI Clear was the night and the moon shone, and the
King lay down to rest;
Bat for Olivier andJ&Qland.giief_lay heavy on his Jbieast,.
And the lifdve peers and the FrenoSm^ in their blood at
"^^ "' Koncevaux.

Nor could he keep from weeping and sobbing in his woe. [war.
He prayed God to keep their spirits. He was weary from the
For great had been his labor. He slept. He could no more.
And over all the meadows the Franks lay fast asleep.
There was no steed that longer upon his feet could keep.
An he wanted grass he cropped it, where'er he down had Iain.
He hath learned a very mighty thing who understandeth pain. \\

CLXXXVH Charles slept hke to a laborer with labor that

is spent;
And the Lord God Saint Gabriel unto the Emperor sent. ] \' '-■

To watch beside King Charlemagne, God gave him His com- | /

mand.
And all night long by the King's head the angel took his stand ;
And he spake and told the Emperor in a vision of the night,
' Concerning a great battle that against him they would fight.
And all the girievous meaning of the battle he made plain,
ïligh up into the heavens looked the Emperor Charlemagne.
£[e saw the frost and the whirlwinds and the thunder where
^ they played.

The storms and wondrous tempests, and flames of fire arrayed.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 106

And lo ! upon his army fell that portent j n a flash.
Afire were all the lances of apple-wood and ash.
And all the shields were flaming to the buckles of pure gold.
And likewise the good war-swords and the keen pikes manifold.
And g rated all the haaberks, and the sted helms g round again.
His liegemen in their anguish appeared to Charlemagne.
Leopards were fain to eat them, and likewise many a bear.
Serpents and wirerns, dragons, and the foul Ûtads were there,
And thirty thousand gryph<ms. A fell attack they made
Upon the Franks that shouted : "King Charlemagne give aid !"
And the heart of the Emperor was filled with pity and with woe.
Fain had he gone, but there was that that would not let him go.
Forth from a wood a lion came before him in his might.
Furious and full of pride was he and dreadful to the sight.
On the King's very body the lion leaped amain. [twain.

Locked arm by arm in the strug^e wrestled and strove the
And none knew which should conquer, nor which of them should
The Emperor from his visitm awakened not at all. [fall.

CLXXXVin Thereafter another vision was given him to see.
At Aiz in France beside a stair he deemed himself to be.
And the King thought by a double chain he held a mij^ty bear;
And forth to him from Arden did thirty others fare.
Each spoke as a man speaketh. They said unto the King.

" Sire, yield him now tinto us. It is not a righteous thing
For thee to keep our kinsman. And we will aid him here.*'

Then forth from out the palace a greyhound did appear.
On the green grass he grappled with the bear of greatest might
Before his mates, and Charlemagne beheld a marvellous fight.
But he knew not which should conquer and which should lose
So much unto the hero God's angel did display. [the fi«y.

Charles slept until the morning and the clear break of day.

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106 THE SONG OF ROLAND

CLXXXrX His flight to Saragossa King Manile good hath

made.
He dismounted from the charger 'neath an oliTe in the shade.
He hath pulled off the hauberk and the helmet and the sword.
And down he la; in disarray upon the fair green-sward.
His right band had he lost, and cleft at thé shoulder full in

twain
Was his right arm. He fainted from loss of blood and pain.
Bramimonde his wife before him wept and shrieked lamenting

sore.
About the £iiig were gathered thirty thousand men and more.
Charlemagne and the sweet Fre nch realm t hey cursed them all
And then unto Apollo in ms grotto did they run. [<uid one.
They heaped reproaches on him and many an evil name :

" Ah, evil god ! Now wherefore hast thou brou^t on us

this shame?
Why didat thou let our lord the King be beaten in the fight.
Who served thee well? And wherefore didst thou him so ill

requite P"

Therewith his crown and sceptre from Apollo have they

By his hands unto a column they hanged him up amain. [ta*en.

Then in their wrath beneath their feet they trampled him and

trod.
And with great staves they beat him, and in pieces tore the god.
His carbuncle from Te rmag ant have the angry Faynims torn.
And they have hurled Mahomet into a foss forlorn. [ground.
The dogs devoured him, and the swine trampled him on the

CXC At length hath the King Marsile awakened from his

swound.
Himself to his vaulted chamber he commanded them to bear..
I Painting and colored writing a mighty store was there. \

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 107

Tearing her locks Queen Bramimonde on her evil plight did cry
With many tears. A word she spake in a loud voice and high:

" How art thou, Saragossa, robbed and dispoiled this day
Of the great King and glorious who o'er thee bore the sway.
Our gods have played the traitor, who failed us utterly
In the fight this mom. The Amiral a coward will he be,
If he Cometh not the battle with that fiery stock to bear, , , vi>L,t

That are so hardy-hearted that of life they have no care. ^

King Charlemagne the Emperor, with the gu iij_ln'iii'l IJln "

■"' fi ower. ^

Hath the rashness of great courage and all a hero'sIRiîwer.
Wheresoe'er he giveth battle, he never giveth way.
It is great woe that no one may be found that King to slay."

CXCI Because of his good courage the Emperor Charle-
magne
Had been the full of seven year within the realm of Spain.
He had taken many a city, and, moreover, many a hold,
Wherefore was the King Marsile filled with trouble manifold.
And he let seal his letters ere the first year was spent,
And into Babylonia to Baligant he sent.
An ancient man was Baligant, of an old time and year.
Hoiner himsdf and Viggl were outlived of the Emir.
Marsile to Saragossa begged him his aid to bear.
And if he should not do it his gods he would forswear,
And all his idols also that his wont was to adore ;
To Christianity the Holy, himself he would give o'er. [made.
He was right fain with Charlemagne that a treaty should be
For Bedigant was far away and a great while bad delayed.
To the men of his forty kingdoms gave Baligant' command
His dromon ds and his galleons to get ready to his hand.

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108 THE SONG OF ROLAND

1

And man j a barg e and p innace , and ships of all degree.
There was at Alexandria a port upon the sea.
' The Amira] got ready the ships of his array.
On the first da; of summer, and in the month of May
The whole of his great armament embarked and went its vay.

CXCII Oh vpry frrvB.^ unA Tfy^ghtj wflu thftt^ J'aynim host of
And theyTSl^Tery swiftly, and ever on they bore. [war.

And set upon the yard-arms and at every main-mast head
Were carbuncles and lanterns that such a lustre shed
That, when weis come the evening, the sea grew lovelier.
And when at last upon the coast of the Spanish land they were.
Then all the land was lighted with the fire and the flame,
And the tidings of their coming to the King Marsile came.

CXCUI That great host of the Paynims would in no way

stop or stay.
They left the salt sea waters. Into the fresh came they
And M arbrise town and Marbros, they left them both behind.
Up the channel of the Ebro did all that navy wind.
At the mast-head and tht yard-arm was many a lantem-li^t
And carbuncle, great brightness that gave them in the night.
And unto Saragossa at day-break drew they on.

CXCIV Then clearly broke the morning and brightly shone
The Amiral from his galley came forth unto the land, [the sun.
Beside bim Espanelis walked on at hia right hand.
Kings there were seen full seventeen that after him did fare.
Of counts and dukes I know not bow many were come there.

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THE SOKG OF BOLAND 109

And in the middle of a field under a laurel's shade,
On the green grass a tapestry of purest white was laid.
Thereon of the fair ivorj was set a high-seat good,
Where sate Baligant the Fajnim ; but all the others stood.
And their Lord King unto them now made his meaning clear :
" Ho, all je free and gallant knights, now hearken and give

ear.
King Charles the Emperor of the Franks shall eat nor bite nor
Till I have given my command to him to take it up. [^^P

He hath warred long in the land of Spain. But battle will I

give
To him in the sweet realni of J^jragf e as long as I shall live,
Till he be dead, or a r ecreant h ath yidded him to me." [knee.
And with the glove of his right hand lightly he smote his

CXCV When Baligant had said it, his will so strong had

grown
For all the gold beneath the heaven the King had not forgone
Marching on Aix, where justice was done by Charles the King.
His henchmen when they heard it counseled likewise the thing.
Clarien and Clarif an, two knights, he summoned to him there :

" Ye sons of the King Maltraien ^o was wont my word to
With right good will ; I bid you to Saragossa go, [bear

And speak unto King Marsile that my condng he may know.
Against the Franksi in war-array have^Icome to succor bun.
If I come on them, a battle there will be both great and ^im.
GiveTum the glove goI3-Brdîdéré3. Do It on^Ke king's' right ^

hand
And give him this fine golden staff. When his duty for his land
He doth by me, to fight in France with Charlemagne will I fare.
An he beg not mercy at my feet and Christian law forswear,

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110 THE SONG OF BOLAND

Then forthinth Till I take away the crown from off hii head."
" Oh Sire, thou sayest wondrous well," thereto the Psynims

said.

CXCVI To his messengers said Baligant :

" To ride doth yoo bAore,. .
The staff let one now carry. Let the other bear the glove ."^
And they answered him : " Dear master, we will even do

the same."
Then forth they rode so hard that they to Saragossa came.
Through ten gates have they ridden, o'er bridges four as- vdl.
And all the street have they traversed wherein the burgh ers __
But when unto the summit of the city they drew near, [dwell.
By the palace a great bruit fell loud upon their ear.
Enow of Paynims shrieked and wept and mighty woe displayed.
Of their gods Mahound and Termagant a sore complaint they

made,
And moreover of Apollo, Whence they got no help at all.
Said each to each :

" Unfortunate, what now shall us befall.
Confusion is upon us. Marsile from us is reft. [cleft.

Through the hand of the King Marsile hath the Count Boland
Nor have we left unto us even Jorfaleu the fair.
All Spain is theirs!"

The messengers dismounted at the stair.

CXCVn Beneath an olive-tree got down those messengers

And two Saracens thereafter took from them their horses twain.
And arm-in-arm together with their tidings on they went.
To the high part of the palace the two their footsteps bent.

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THE SONG OP BOLAND 111

Into the vaulted chamber they entered there above,
And their wicked salutation they gave there in all love : [lord
" Now may Mahound that ruleth us, and Apollo bur good
And Termagant protect the King, and the Queen watch and
Said Bramimonde : [ward."

■ '* Great folly now do I hear thee say.

Our gods are knaves. At Roncevaux most evil deeds did they.
They let of our true Faynims be slaughtered many a knij^t.
And my own dear Lord Marsile, they failed him in the fight.
SmitteiTod was^Ute-JCing^a-zight-hand. Yp», right hand hath

he none.
'Twas by the fierce Count Roland that the dreadful deed was

■ — - ;,**^^*

King Charles will gain the whole of Spain. Ah, full of woe and

dread I
What will befall me? Woe is me, that none will strike me dead."

CXCVm And Clariens answered:

" Lady, speak not so high and free.
Of Baligant the Payniro the messengers are we.
He saith he will ward King Marsile. He sendeth here beside
His staff and glove. In Ebro four thousand galleons ride.
And skiffs there be, and barges and galleys swift as well.
The number of the dromonds I know not how to tell.
The Amiral is stalwart and a great man of might.
And he will hasten into France with Charlemagne to fight.
And either will he slay him, or make him beg for grace.**
Said Bramimonde :

" The venture will be found in evil case.
The Amiral may lightly come on the Franks more near.
They have been here already the space of seven year.

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112 THE SONG OP ROLAND

The Emperor is gallant, of a great heart and hi{^
Ere from the field he flieth, in the battle he will die. [worth.
No King 'neath heaven, but Charlemagne deems him a babe in
The Emperor feareth no man that lireth on the earth."

CXCIX And forthwith the King Marsile said unto her :

" Let be."
He spake unto the messengers : " Speak now, my lords, to me.
Ye see already I am doomed. Son or daughter, none remain,
Nor any heir, though one J had. Yestereven was he slain.
Bid my lord come and see me. He ruleth Spain of right.
An he desire I will yield it him, but for it let him fij^t
AgEiinst the French. Good cotmsel I will give him for the fray
With Charlemagne that may be dead in a month's time frtnn
With the keys of Saragossa to the Emir do ye hie! [this day.
Say to him, if he will trow m e. that Charles will never fly."
" Sire, thou hast spoken truly," did the messengers reply.

CO And then said the King Marsile :

" The Emperor Charlemagne
Hath wasted all the country and my liegemen hath he slain.
And my cities he hath battered, and in their ruins laid.
For his army on the Ebro his camp-ground hath he made.
And from this city to that place but seven leagues there are.
Let the Amiral lead thither his mighty host of war.
Bid him for me for battle the gear of fight to don."

The keys of Saragossa, he gave to them each one.
At that the two embassadors before the King bowed low.
They took their leave and at his word together did they go.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 118

CCI And thereon the embassadors got them upon the steed.
And forth out of the city thej issued with all speed.
To their £mir they vent in fear and gave to him amain
The keys of Saragossa. Spake the King unto the twain:

" What have ye found ! And Marsile that I summoned,
And Clariens gave answer: [where is he?"

" He is wounded mortally.
Within the mountain passes was the Emperor yesterday.
For into the sweet land of France he yearned to take the way.

id for the greater honor a rear-guard he arrayed.
Roland the Count his nephew there in the passes stayed,
,^ And Ohvier, and the twelve peers, and there beside them then
Of the land of France were gathered twenty thousand armM

men.
And the King Marsile fought them like a good man of might.
He met with the Count Roland upon the field of fight.
With Durendal Count Roland such a buffet to him gave
That the rij^t arm from his body with the same stroke he clave.
And the son that the King held so dear hath Roland smitten
And all the barons likewise that to the fight he led. [dead,

Kmg Marsile fled thereafter. lionger he might not bide.
And Charlemagne the Emperor hard on his heels did ride.
He bids thee aid him. He will yield to Uiee the realm of Spain."
Baligant thought. On madness was be like to come for

pain.

con " Sire Amiral," said Clariens, ** Li a fight yesterday
At Roncevaux Count Roland hath fallen in the fray,
And Olivier with the twelve peers that Charlemagne loved well ;
And twenty thousand Frenchmen in the same battle feU.

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114 THE SONG OF KOLAND

And, moreover, there his good right hand hath the King Mai^

sile lost.
Hotly the Emperor Charlemagne pursued after his host.
No longer are there caTaliers in all the country round
That are not slain in battle or in the £bro drowned, [they come
Camped are the Franks upon her banks; So near us have
Into the land, but, an thou vish, hard is their journey home."

Proud was the look of Baligant. His heart was glad and
He rose up from the high-seat and loudly did he cry : [high.

" Tarry not, issue from the ships. To horse, ye barons
And ride ! Unless already King Charlemagne the old [hold,
Is stolen hence, this very day, for Marsile vengeance dread
Will I take, and for his reft right hand shall he have King
Charles his head."

CCHI Those Paynims of Arabia out of their ships came they ;
The mules and steeds they mounted, and out they rode away.
What might they more? The Amiral, when he had sped them
Gemalfin his companion unto himself did call : [all,

" I give into thy keeping the rule of all my power."
Upon a great brown charger he mounted in that hour.
And thence together with him four mif^ty dukes he led,
And unto Saragossa without a halt they sped.
At the great stairs of marble they descended from their mounts.
The stirrup of the Amira l was holden of four counts.
By the stairway of the palace they mounted up on high.
And Bramimonde came running:

** How miserable am 1 1
In what great shame my master is cast away!" she said,
" Charles* nephew hath confounded and smitten Marsile dead."
At his feet she fell. The Amiral hath raised her up again.
Unto the upper chamber in sorrow went the twain.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 116

CCIV When Marsile had seen Baligant, in a loud Toice he
Unto two Spanish Saracms, " Take me on either side [cried

And raise me up." A gauntlet he took in his left hand.
Said Marsile:

" My Lord A miral, all of the Span ish land
I yield thee, and Saragossa and all that hangs thereby.
I have ruined aH the jKOptfif-aud-ajruined man am I."
' AncTBalJgant gave answer:

** And therefore woe is me.
But now I cannot tarry to parley long with thee.
I know full well my coming is unknown to Charlemagne.
However, this same gauntlet I will take from thee again."

And for the sorrow that he luul, weq>ing he tamed him

there.
Forth out of Marsile's palace he descended on the stair.
He rode so hard that forth he came before the foremost ranks,
Shouting as he came : " On, Paynims Î Already flee the Franks."

CCV And early in the morning, when first the dawning broke.

Then Charlemagne the Emperor from his deep sleep awoke.

Saint Gabriel, that by him for the guard of God had stayed, ,

Lifted his hand and o'er him the sacred sign he made.

Up rose the King and in the place he let his armor lie.

The others of the army likewise their arms put by.

And then to horse they got them and gallantly did ride

A long way on those mighty tracks and on the hi^roads wide.

Forth went the host to look upon that wondrous overthrow,

Where had been fought the battle in the pass at Boncevauz.

CCVI Lito the pass at Roncevaux entered King Charlemagne.
And he began a-weeping when be found such store of slain.

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116 THE SONG OF ROLAND

He said unto the Frenchm^i :

" Lords, ride not hastily,
For to go on before you it noir behoreth me.
To seek him whom I yearn to find, even my nephew dear.
I was in Aix the city at a feast that fell each year. [make.

There, of great fights and battles, their boasts my lads did
And there I harkoied Soland and the matter that he spake ;
If he e'er in the strange country should hap in fi^t to fall,
His comrades and his henchmen, he would excell them all ;
Unto his foeman*8 country his last look would he bend;
Like a hero in his triumph he would come unto his end."

Then, farther on than any a little staTe mij^t throw.
Up a hill before the army the Emperor did go.

CCVn When forth to seek his nephew went the Emperor

Charlemagne,
Great store of herbs and flowers he found upon the plain.
The which the blood vermilion of our good lords did steep.
The King was filled with pity, nor could he choose but weep.
Under a tree high on the hill at last the Emperor drew.
The strokes of the Count Roland on the three steps he knew.
There he beheld his nephew on the green grass where he lay.
No marvel if the King was filled with anger and dismay.
He lighted from the horse and ran as swiftly as might be.
The body of Count Roland in his two arms took he.
^ Then he fainted on the body, so grievous was his pain.

CCVm Out of his swound awakened the Emperor Charle-
magne.
Count Accelin, Duke Neimes, Geoffrey of Anjou f orby,
And Geoffrey's brother Thierry lifted ttie King on high,

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 117

They raised him underneath a pine, to earth his glance he
And the King very gently began to mourn aloud : [bowed.

" Good Roland, in his mercy may the good Giod thee enfold.
So great a cavalier as thou never shall man behold,
To order and accomplisli the great deeds of the 6ght.
Now greatly doth mine honor go downward from the height."
There swooned again King Charlemagne. He could not
bear the thing.

CCIX At last out of hii dreadful swound, woke Charlemagne

the King.

There were four of the King's barons by the hands that held

him bi^.

He looked to earth, and Roland beheld where he did lie.

Faded was the red. His body yet looked both fair and stark.

His eyes were turned within his head, and terrible and dork.

And Charlemagne wept for him in perfect faith and love :
" Roland ! God keep thy spirit in His place of flowers above.

Among the Saints of Heaven. How thou camest to ill in Spain !

Good Captain ! not a day shall be but I sball suffer pain

For thee. My strength and courage are fallen in the sere.

No man is left unto me to keep mine honor clear.

Not a friend under heaven is left unto me now.

If I have any kinsmen, is none so brave as thou."

And with both hands he tore his hair. So great their
grief did grow,

Of an hundred thousand Frenchmen was none but wept for woe."

OCX ** Friend Roland, I wiU go to France. In Laon when I

stand.
Within my chamber, strangers will come from many a land

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118 THE SONG OF ROLAND

They will ask for the Count-Captain; I will say he is dead in

Spain.
In bitter sorrow thereafter in my kingdom shall I reign.
No day shall pass but I shall weep and groan aloud in ru^».^

CCXI " Roland ! my friend ! oh hero, and lovely in thy youth.
When I am in mine own chapel in the town of Aix once more,
Then men will come unto me asking tidings of the war.
And I will tell them tidings most marrellous and dread :
He who was wont to conquer, my nephew, he is dead.
Hereafter shall the Saxons rebel against my grace.
And the Huns and the Bulgarians and many another race,
The Romans and Apulians, and the men of Sicily,
And whosoe'er in Afric and C alifeme there be.
And my suffering and sorrow shall grow from hour to hour.
What man can guide my army with such a strength and power
When he is dead that at the head thereof was wont to ride?
Ah! sweet my France, how utterly a waste thou shalt abide!
I have BO great a sorrow to perish am I fain." [magne.

And then to rend his long white beard began King Charle-
And with both hands, moreover, to tear and pluck his hair.
A hundred thousand Frenchmen on the ground fainted there.

CCXII " Friend Roland, great misfortune thy life has orer-
Therefore thy gallant spirit to Paradise has passed. [cast,

He who slew thee all the land of France has smirched exceeding
I am so full of sorrow that I would live no more, [sore.

For the slaughter that upon my house because of me was done.
But to God I make this prayer, to the Holy Virgin's Son :

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THE SONG OF BOLAND 119

Ere to the Sizré Passes in the mount I make my way,
May the spirit from my body depart from me this dayc^
And with theirs may now this soul of mine be sent forth to
And may my flesh hereafter be forever them beside." [abide,

Then he wept very greatly and plucked his beard again.
Said Duke Neimes : " Heavy sorrow is come on Charlemagne."

CCXni "Ah! grieve not so, Lord Emperor," Geoffrey of

Anjou said,

" But over all the field of fight let now search out our dead

That there were slain by them of Spain, and command them to

To a chame l-honse." [be borne

Then said the King: " Now blow upon thy horn."

CCXIV And straightway Geoffrey of Anjou upon the horn

did sound.
Charles gave command. The Frenchmen descended to the

ground.
And all of their companions that they found in battle slain
Forthwith unto a charnel-house they carried them amain.
Of bishops and of abbots there was a mighty store,
Canons and clerks and parsons that tonsured foreheads bore.
And there they did absolve the dead and bless them in God's

name.
And myrrh and precious incense they lighted with the flame.
And gallantly they censed them and graved in noble kind.
Then — ^what more could they? forth they rode and left the

dead behind.

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120 THE SONG OF ROLAND

CCXV A watch the Emperor Charlemagne set Btdand's body

o'er.
And o'er the corpse of Olivier and of Turpin furthermore.

Liltevise he there let open the bodies of the three,
And their three heartS) moreover, let wrap in c ramoigy.
In caskets of white marble the hearts they then did laj.
The bodies of the barons they carried thence awaj.
They lapped them well in leather wrought of the red-deer bide.
And with the wine and spices washed them and purified.
To Tybalt and to Geboin and Count Milo spake the King,
And likewise Marquis Otho and commanded them this thing :
** Onward in three chariots do ye now bear them forth."
Well were the bodies covered with cloth of gold of worth.

CCXVI Now was the Emperor Charlemagne set in his heart
When there arose before him the vanguards of the foe. [to go.
From the forefront of the army two messengers there came
For to denounce the battle in Baligant his name.

" Proud King, it is not right nor meet that thou shouldst
now go back.
Behold the Emir Baligant, that rideth on thy track.
And mighty is that army that he leads from Araby.
This day shall we discover if there be strength in thee."

King Charlemagne plucked at his beard. On the strange

overthrow
He thought, that came upon him in the fight at Roncevaux.
. He looked proudly on his army. Then he cried with aU his

force :
" Arm you, ye Prankish barons, and straightway get to

horse."

X

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THE SONG OE ROLAND 121

CCXVH The Emperor armed him foremost, and his hauberk

swift did daa.
And laced his hehn, and Joyous the great sword girded on,
That bated not its brightoess for the fiaming of the snn.
And a Girpndian buckler at his neck the King did habg.
He gripped his lance, and the good steel, he brandished it and

swang.
And thereupon he mounted on the great horse Tençendor ^^
That at Morsonne by the river-ford he won, when he made war
On Malpalin, the Na rbonn ese that bj the King was slain.
And fierilj he spurred the steed and loosed the bridle-rein.
Before an hundred thousand men at a gallop did he come,
Praising God and his Apostle, who hath his place in Rome.

CCXVm Down over that great meadow the men of France

did ride.
Were more than an hundred thousand that armed them side by

side.
Their armor well becomes them and swiftly run their steeds.
Fair are their spears. They get to horse and are ripe for

gallant deeds.
They dean there will be a battle, if they come upon the foe.
Down over their bright helmets the gonfalons hang low.
When King Charles hod seen their faces how they were very
Then Josseran of P roven ce he summoned to him there, [fair,
Anthelm of Maintz and N eime s :

' " In such heroes as be here

A man should trust. He is a fool who givetfa way to fear.
If their coming they repent not, dear shall the Arabs buy
Count Roland's death."

" God grant it us," said Neimes in reply.

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CCXIX Charles called Gumemant and Robel:

" To 7011 I give command.
My lords, in the place of Roland and Olivier to stand.
One shall bear the sword, and the other, the mighty horn of
At the head of the first legion do ye ride out before. [war.

And fifteen thousand Frenchmen shall ride along with you,
The young men of the army, courageous youths and true.
And after you shall follow as many more beside ;
And these shall the two marshals Gehoin and Lawrence guide."
Count Josseran and Duke Neimes those columns did array.
If they come upon the Faynims there will be a fearful fray.

CCXX French are the first two columns. When stablished

were the twain,
Of the vassals of Bavaria the third they did ordain.
The full of twenty thousand that troop was deemed to be.
There was not one among them that from a fight would fiee.
Never a race neath heaven more dear the Emperor knew
Except for his own Frenchmen that the kingdoms overthrew.
They were led of the Dane Ogier, so well that loved the fight.
It was a gallant company of arrogance and might.

CCXXI With Charlemagne already three lines of battle

stand.

And then the fourth Duke Neimes got ready to his hand

From a host of gallant barons that had great chivalry.

Germans they were, or gathered from the March of Germany.

Twenty thousand was their rnunber by that till men did say.

Well armed were they and splendid were the steeds of their

array.

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They flee no 6gbi for fear of death, and Herman doth them

lead,

The Duke of Thrace , who will perish e*er he doth a coward'a

deed.

CCXXII Count Josseran and Duke Keimes forth the fifth

battle led.
They were twenty thousand Normans so all the Frenchmen

said.
And lovdy is their armor, and their steeds are swift to run,
And ere they play the traitor they will perish every one.
Under heaven is no nation so much can undergo.
Richard the Ancient led them, that could smite so hard a blow.

CCXXIII The sixth array were Bretons and forty thousand

strong
Were the knights. Like gallant heroes on the steeds they rode

along.
Aloft they bore the lances. Laced were the fiàgs of war.
The master of that army the name of Eudes bore.
But unto the Count Nivelon his place the man gave o'er.
And to Tybalt of Rhems and Otho the Marquis good beside :
" A gift they are given to you. Do ye mine anny guide."

CCXXIV Now had the Emperor six brigades and ihe Duke

Neimes drew
The seventh up — the barons of Auvergne and of Po itou.
They might be forty thousand knights with steeds and armour
Alone within a valley on a little hill they stood. [good.

Charlemagne in benediction with his right hand made the sign.
Count Josseran and Godselm were the marshals of that line.

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CCXXV And now the ei^th, Duke Neimes established of

the bands
Of the barons of the F^ig iap a and of tibe Ne tftcrlan da. [shun.
Were more than forty thousand knights that battle would not
Then said the King : " By these indeed my service will be
Twizt Rembolt and Count Hamon of G alici a there lay [done/*
The right to lead that army in courage through the fray.

CCXXA^ Duke Keimes and Count Jogseran led the ninth
troop out amain,
The gallant men of Burgundy, the heroes of Lorrain e.
And fifty thousand knights by count were there, laced helms

that wore
And hauberks good. Well-girded swords and twofold shields

they bore.
Strong are the spears, short-hafted. If the foe flee not away.
And if they join the battle, that host will smite to slay.
The Duke of Arpope, T hierry ^, was their captain for the fray.
And in the tenth good company was many a Frankish knij^t.
There were an hundred thousand of the best men of our might.
And proud were all their faces, brawny their limbs appeared.
And like a flower was every head, and white was every beard.
In hauberk and double-bymie every man of them was clad.
And great swords belted on them of France and Spain they had.
And the bucklers that they carried bore many a cog nizanc e.
Strong and staunch is every spear-shaft, and glorious every

lance.
They got to horse and shouted for the fight on every side.
And cried: "Mountjoyt" for Charlemagne along with them

did ride.

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And onwards Geoffrey of Anjou bore the great Oriflaiqe —

Because it was Saint Peter's, it bore the Roman name.

But that they changed, and now Mount joy on all lips it became.

CCXXVm Down from his steed the Emperor got. On the

green grass did he kneel,

And turned him to th e riainp sun , and to God made his appeal :

" On this day, my very Father, do Thou aid me to prevail,
Thou who gavest Jonas succor in the belly of the whale.
Thou who the King of Nineveh of Thy dear grace didst save,
And Daniel from the torment of the lions in the cave.
And in the fiery furnace didst protect the children three ;
Upon this day of battle may Thy love be over me.
And if it please Thee, grant me, for Thy sweet mercy's sake,
For my de ar nephewHoland^great TengeaBee-BOw-lû-take-**

When lie tiacTdone his orison on his feet he stood upright.
And signed upon his forehead the sign of wondrous might.
Upon his gallant charger he mounted with a spring;
And Josseran and Neimes held the stirrup for the King.
The King took up his buckler and his sharp cutting spear.
Fair and mighty was his body, and well did he appear.
And clear was all his countenance, and fierce he rode to war.
With the bellowing horns of battle behind him and before.
But the great horn of Roland was roaring over all.
And all the Franks were weeping for the sorrow of his fall.

CCXXIX Fair rode Kmg Charles. His mighty beard he
spread his armour o'er.
And so did all the aimy for the love to him they bore.

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An hundred thousand Frenchmen might well be known thereby,
llie hast came past the mountains and the cliffs that were so

hi^;
Urough the deep clefts and dread defiles on did the army

haste ;
And there at last they issued from the passes and the waste.
So took they their way onward into the march of Spain,
Until at last they halted in the middle of a plain.
The Tanguard of the Amiral to Baligant they sped.
And unto him a Syrian among them rose and said :

" We have seen the proud King Charlemagne. His men are

full of pride
They will not fail him. Arm you! For battle doth betide."
Said Baligant :

" I hear a tale of mighty deeds renowned
Tliat my men may understand it, let now the trumpets sound."

CCXXX llirough all the host the tabors were sounded far

and near:
They blew upon the war-horns and on the trumpets clear.
The Paynims all dismounted that their armour they mi^t don.
The Amiral brooked no delay. He got his bymie on
With the broidered fringe, and laced the hehn where bri^t the
good gold shone.
And then forthwith he girded the sword at his left side.
A name he had discovered for the great sword in his pride,
Because of the blade of Charlemagne whereof he heard the fame,
And therefore *' Precious" to the sword he had given for a
And that within the battle was aye his rallying-caU ; [name.

And evermore his cavaliers shouted it one and all.

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About his neck thereafter a mighty shield he hound.

Golden waa all the buckle with crystals s et around. [spear

Aitd the cord iras of the good red silk; and up he snatched the

Men called Maltêt. As huge and thick as a club did it appear.

The steel alone a burden for a mule hod been indeed.

Forthvitli the Emir Baligant hath mounted on his steed.

Marcules held his stirrup, the man from over sea.

The Amiral was splendid to behold in verity. [his side,

[Great were his loins, and slim his flank, and broad and strong
Well wrouf^t and fair his body. His chest was very wide.
Gigantic were his shoulders, and clear his glance and fair,
And haughty was his visage, and curling was hia hair.
Even aa a flower in summer his countenance was white.
He had proved him very often to be a man of might.
God ! What a splendid hero, an a christened man he were.
He ;^oaded till the blood ran clear his charger with the spur.
He ran his course, and o'er a trench with a great leap did he
Fifty feet was the measure thereof from side to side. [ride.

Said the Paynims :

** Yonder Captain may well his marches hold.
Never is there'a Frenchman that to joust with him is bold,
Or, will he not or will he, shall thereafter bide unslain.
When hence he did not flee away a fool was Charlemagne."

. CCXXXI Like a hero was the Emir. As a flower his heard
The wisdom of the Pàynïms he understood aright. [was white.
Arrogant was his spirit and furious in the fight.
Malprimia his aQii*JllQfeove]'^was.j;i hfijro of great mark,
AlucirUke to his forefathers, and very stoul aricF stark.

" Sire, let us now ride onward," to his father then said he,
" For very much I wonder if Charles we e'er shall see."

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" Yea," «aid Baligant in answer, " his courage is so great.
The histories are many, his high deeds that relate.
But his strong nephew Rtdand he hath with him no more,
Kor will he have the courage to face us in the war."

CCXXXH ** Oh Malprimis, my own fair son," the Amiral

then said,
" Roland the gallant vassal yestreen was smitten dead.
And along with him, moreover, the courageous Olivier,
And all the twelve peers, also, whom Charlemagne held dear.
And there fell twenty thousand that were bom on Prankish
But as for all the others a glove there are not worth. [earth.

Truly the Emperor cometh. My Syrian scout doth say
That into ten great columns he bath marshalled his array.
Surely he is a gallant that the war-horn windeth so.
And clearly on the trumpet doth his companion blow. ^

And they twain march together before the foremost ranks.
And there are gathered with them full fifteen thousand Franks
Of the young men that hut children are held by Charlemagne.
There stride along behind them as many more again.
In great arrogance and anger will they march into the fight."
Said Malprimis : " I pray thee ; the first stroke let me

smite."

CCXXXni " Ah Malprimis my lovely son," gave answer
" Whatsoever thou desirest unto thee I will grant. [Baligant,
The assault against the Frenchmen now forthwith do thou
But Torleu King of Persia for thy companion take, [make.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 129

And the Lord of Lithuania, King Dapamort, beside.
If haplj thou mayst master the Emperor in hig pride,
A portion of my kingdom to thee will I give o'er,
From Cheriant to Val Marguis."

'^ " Now gr amercy therefore."

Said Malprimis, and on he went to take within his hand
Earnest of the gift, that erewhile was the King Fleury's land.
But never will Prince Malprimis again his kingdom see.
The day of hig investiture and seizin ne'er will be.

CCXXXTV And Baligant the Amiral throu^ the army rode

in state.
And Malprimis was at his heel that was so huge and great.
King Torleu and King Dapamort thirty columns did array,
And a very mighty legion of cavaliers had they.
The weakest of the columns is of thirty thousand men.
And first the men of Butentrot came out before them then.
Of whom was Judas that betrayed his God in sin and shame.
And afteï' them the Milcians with the great heads tJiere came —
And their back-bones, moreover, have bristles like the swine.
The men of Bios and Nubians were marshalled third in line.
In the fourth did the Russians and the S lavonians ride.
In the fifth the men of Sobr e and the men of Sdr beside.
In the sixth did the Armenians and the MoriscÔg go.
And in the seventh battle were the men of Jericho.
In the eighth array were Negroes, in the ninth the Giants stood.
The men of Balida the Strong, that never yet wished good.
Were in the tenth. The Amiral sware loudly as might be
By the body of Mahomet and his strength and majesty : [hold
" Like a fool cometh Charles of France. An he do not with-
Battle will be. And nevermore shall be wear his crown of gold."

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CCXXXV Thereafter iea great columns led forth the mar-

ahalg twain.
And the Srst of foul Orcaniana in that hour did they ordain.
To march across Val Fui themselves they had bestirred.
The Turks made up the second host, and Persian was the third.
And IB the fourth was many a desperate Canaanite ;
Of S oltra s and of Avars was the fifth line of the fight.
In the sixth did the O rniaUan s and Eu^Uans find place;
And in the seventh column were the men of Samuel's race;
And in the eighth the Prussians and Slavonians did stand.
In the tenth the men of Occiant , the waste deserted land.
They were indeed a nation who never served the 'Lord —
Never was race of villains yet heard of more abhorred.
Their hides are hard as iron ; hauberk and helm therefore
They need not. They are cruel and desperate in war.

CCXXXVI Forth Baligant the Amiral led other columns ten.
And the giant race of Malpros e he ranked the foremost then.
Next came the Huns, and m third place came the Hungarian
And in the fourth the army of Baldisa the Long. [throng,

From the dread Vale of Suffering the fifth brigade was come.
Sixth came whoe'er in A iglent or M arm use had his home.
The seventh line were I^eians or of the land of Thrace. [place.
The eighth of ArgoM e was, with them of C larbone ninth in
And tenth and last of Val Fonde the bearded villams trod.
They were a folk that never had felt the love of Grod.
They numbered thirty columns in the history of the Franks.
Great were the hosts. The trumpets were sounding through

the ranks.
And forth rode every Faynim most like a valiant knight.

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CCXXXVII Baligant the Amiral was a gallant man of

might.
He had his Dragon borne before, and T ermagant 's ensign
And Mahomet's and the image of A pollo ^e Malign.
And gathered were ten Canaanites that marched along thereby,
And shouted out a mighty word in a loud voice and high :

" Whosoever the protection of our Gods would now possess,
Let him now pray and serve them in sorrow and distress."

And therewith all the heathen hent forward chin and brow.
And all their shining helmets in that hour did they bow.

Then said the Franks :

** Ye villains ! ye shall perish one and all.
.This day a dire confusion upon your host shall fall. [might,

And our Grod the Emperor Charlemagne will succor by his
And in the glory of His name shall we triumph in the fight."

CCXXXVm Baligant the Amiral is wise in many things.
To him his son he summoned and also the two Kings.

" Do ye, my lords and barons, now forth before me ride.
AH my columns of the battle do ye begin to guide.
But of the best of the columns three will I keep in hand.
The Turks and the Ormalians beside their King shall stand.
And of Malprose the Giants the third array shall be.
Also the men of Occiant shall march along with me.
With the Frenchmen and with Charlemagne they shall fight
the fearful fray.
If be fights me, from his shoulders will I cleave his head away.
Of that he may be certain. He deserves no other fate."

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CCXXXrX Beautiful vere the lines of fight, and the hosts
were very great.
Between them was no mountain, nor little hill, nor dale.
Nor any copse or forest, that for refuge mi^t avail.
Well they beheld each other across the open space,
And Baligant cried out aloud :

" Ho, warriors of my race,
Get you to horse and fiercely now in the fight fall on !"
It was Amboire of Olifern who bore his gonfalon.
The Pajnims yelled. On Precious the great sword shouted they.
Said the Franks : " A mighty slaughter shall be done on you

this day."
And loud and high the battle cry Mount joy they raised anew.
And by the Emperor's order all the horns of battle blew ;
But bellowing over all men heard the horn of Roland blare.
Said the Faynims then :

" The army of King Charles is wondrous fair.
We are going to a battle most terrible Mid dread,"

CCXL The plain was very mighty and wide the country
Gigantic was the army that there its way did hold. [spread.

Glittering were all the helmets set with precious stones and

gold,
Broidered bymies and laced pennons, and every shield and

spear.
And all the war-horns bellow and their voice is wondrous clear.
And haughty is the sennet that they wind on Roland's horn.
The Amiral called to him Canabeu, his brother bom,
That even to Val-Serrée was the ruler of the land.
Unto Charlemagne's ten columns he pointed with the hand.

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188

** Behold the pride of famouB France. Fierce ridetii Charle-
magne;
He Cometh behind the foremost amid jon bearded train. [low,
For down upon their hauberks the; have let their beards hang
And the beards of them are whiter than on the frost the snow. ,-
With the blades and with the lances the great strokes will they

smite.

We are like to have a dreadful and a very desperate fight.

Never a man the like has seen on any stricken field." [peeled

Then farther than a man might cast a cudgd cleanly

Baligant went before his men. His mind he spake and showed :

" Ho, Paynims ! follow after, for I will clear the road,"
And the spear he shook it greatly and brandished i t again.
And he turned thereof the iron head against King Charlemagne.

CCXLI But when the Emperor Charlemagne the Amiral

surveyed.
And the Dragon and the ensign and the standard there dis-
played,
And the soldiers of Arabia whereof such store came on —
AH the quarters of the country their host had overrun,
Save that where with his army did the Emperor abide —
The King of France right loudly lifted up his voice and cried:
"Lords of France a-many stricken fights have ye fouf^t,
and ye are brave.
Behold the Paynims. Every one is^a.ÇQVt^ Jiui] a knave.
Their whole faitV is'nol "worth a gr oat; though great tiieir

anny be.
What boots it? Who will charge them, let him now come with

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ForUiwith with the good roirels he spurred the charger there.
And Tençendor the charger leaped four times in the air. [said,
" This our King ia a good hero," forthwith the Frenchmen
" No man of us will fail thee. Gallop oa. Lord King, ahead."

CCXLII On high the sun was shining, and lovely was the daj,
Beautiful were the armies and gigantic each array.
And now the foremost ranks thereof in hattle met amain.
Count Rabel and Count Guinemant to their fleet steeds gave

the rein.
And out they spurred with all their speed and the Franks with

one accord
Spurred after them, and came to fig^t with the sharp edge of

the sword.

CCXLIII Count Rabel was a cavalier of a great heart and

bold.
He spurred on the war-charger with the spurs of the fine gold.
Torleu the King of Persia he rode to overthrow.
His buckler and his bymie might not abide the blow.
Through the man's body, of the spear was thrust the golden
Over a little thicket he smote the Paynim dead. [head.

Said the Franks :

" May Grod Almighty now aid us to prevail.
For the right is with King Charlemagne, and him we cannot

fail."

CCXLEV And now against the Lettish King, Guinemant
fought the fight.
All of his fiowery buckler in pieces did he smite,

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185

And shattered all tibe bymie. And furthermore he ran
His gonfalon right through tibe midst of the body of the man.
He struck him dead most certainly whether for mirth or woe.
And forthwith all the Frenchmen raised a great shout at the
-»' blow.

" Smite, Lords ! Stay not ! For a just cause against the
Fajnim race
Hath our King. And God hath set us in His Tery judgment-
place."

CCXLV On a white steed sate Malprimis. Ilirou^ the
press of Franks he bore,
Sealing out a goodly measure of the great strokes of war.
Each over each the dead men he smote down on every side.
Then first the Emir Baligant lifted his voice and cried:

** To nourish you, my barons, long time I have been fain.
My son now see how eagerly he seeketh Charlemagne,
And so great a store of barons defieth unto fight.
I win never ask for vassal of better heart and mi^t.
Gro now and bear him succor with the sharp point of the lance."

And with that word the Faynims to battle did advance.
Hard are the strokes and fierce the fray. 'TIS a battle won-
drous sore
A keener fight was never fought since that time or before.

CCXLVI O angry are the armies ! Wide are the hosts and

large.
And now have all the columns encountered at the charge.
And wondrously the Faynims went striking stroke on stroke.
God's name ! How many lances in pieces twain they broke^

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And shidds burst, and from byrnjes rent all the mail away.
There mightest thou see how scffttered on the field the bodies

lay.
And the whole field of battle with the fine green herbage strown
With the blood out of those bodies was all Tennilîon grown.
And once again the Amiral cried out unto his train :

" Ho ! now upon these ChristianB, my barons, smite amain."
Hard and fearful was the battle. The like was never kenned
Since or before. Nor ends it until death shall make an end.

CCXLVII " Smite Paynims ! Ye are come for that," to his
men called the Emir,
" And I will give you women both beautiful and dear.
Fiefs and lands will I give you, and possessions fair and wide."
•• To smite is our whole duty," the Paynim host replied.
At the first stroke all their lances were shivered in their hands.
Then forth they drew together an hundred thousand brands.
There had you had a sorrowful and terrible mellay.
Whoe'er therein would enter might behold a dreadful fray.

CCXLVIU The Emperor besought the Franks :
I -_ " Lord barons, verily

] I love and trust you. Ye have fought bo many fi^ts for me,
I And ta'en so many kingdoms, and great kings overthown,
* I And that I owe you g uerdon to me is right well known —
I The guerdon of my body and my lands and my domain.
' Now for them do ye take vengeance that yesterday were slain —

Your sons and heirs and brothers in the pass at Roncevaux.

Right well ye wot yours is the right against the Paynim foe."

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 187

"Lord King! Thou speajcest truly," the Frankish ho§t

replied.
There were trent; thousand of them that with Charlemagne
And all of them together unto him gave their faith [did ride.
That never would they fail him for danger or for death.
Was none that played not with the spear. But rif^t soon did

they smite
With the keen sword; and grievous and dreadful waxed the

CCXLIX Now Malprimis the haron galloped hard amid the
A many of the Frenchmen it fortuned him to slay. [fray.

Neimes the Duke beheld him and his look was full of pride.
Like a man of mighty courage against him did he ride.
The hi^ boss out of the buckler with a fearful blow he smote,
And the embroidered coverings twain, he rent from the mail-
coat.
Sight through the Prince's body his golden banner bore.
He smote him dead seven hundred of his servitors before.

CCL The brother of the Amiral, King Canabeu was he.
Straightway the battle charger he spurred forward furiously.
He drew his blade — the hilt was set with c rystals all a-row.
On Neimes* princely helmet he struck a fearful blow.
And the half thereof the Saracen did sorely rend and rive.
With the sharp edge of the waraword he cut through laces five.
The iron plate above his brow a groat it was not worth.
To the skin the Faynim clove the coif, and a fragment fell to

earth.

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18â THE SOKG OF ROLAND

Fierce was the stroke, and sorely the Duke it did astound.
If Gîod hod not sustained him, he hod fallen to the ground.
He gripped the neck of the charger. If the foeman smite again.
Dead is the noble vassal. To his aid ran Charlemagne.

CCLI And the Duke Neimes suffered great agony and woe,
And Canabeu the Paynim ran in to lay him low, [smite."

Said Charlemagne : " Thou dastard ! an ill stroke didst thou
And forth he rushed against him in the fury of his might.
The buckler of that Paynim he crushed against his heart.
The neck- joint of the hauberk he rended it apart.
And through the caitiff's body he thrust the lance right weE,
That he smote him dead. And empty thereafter was his selle.

CCLU And very heavy sorrow King Charlemagne came o'er.
When he beheld Duke Neimes before him wounded sore,
And how from the Duke's helmet the clear blood spouted free.
The Emperor spake his counsel :

" Ride hither unto me,
Neimes, fair lord. The scoundrel that wrou^t thee this mis-
chance
Is dead, and I have <mce for all transfixed liïm with my lance.**
Neimes the Duke gave answer :

" I trow it master mine ;
And, if I live hereafter, great profit shall be thine."

In love and faith together they hastened onwards then.
The Franks that marched beside them were twenty thousand

Was none but smote and fiercely stroke upon great stroke laid.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 189

CCLni Baligant through the battle, on his steed his ira?

he made.
And in bis hand he carried the spear both sharp and strong.
To smite against Count Guinemant, he galloped hard along.
And against the heart he shattered the hero's buckler vhite.
The broideries of the hauberk he tore them left and right.
From side to side he severed the hero's flanks in twain.
From the back of the fleet charger he hurled to earth the slain.
Then Baligant Lord Geboin and Lawrence overthrew,
And Richard the Old, the Captain, of Normandy he slew.
The Faynims cried:

" Most wondrous is Precious the great glaive.
Smite, barons ! In the warsword is that which shall us save."

CCLrV TVas a great sight to look upon, that Arab host of

war —
Men of Occiant and of Argoille and the Biscayan Shore.
Well enow with the long lances against the Franks they drove.
But now to yield to them the field the Frenchmen did not love.
There were a very many that fell on either side ;
And furiously the battle went on till vespertide.
The barons of the Frankish host a mighty loss had they.
There was enough of sorrow ere the ending of the day.

CCLV Fiercely against each other did the Franks and Fay-

nims strike.
They shivered many lances, and many a burnished pike.
Whoso saw the bucklers shattered, or heard the fearful crash
Of the white mail, or the warswords on the helmets that did
Or whoso saw the cavaliers on every side that fell, [clash ;

And hearkened of the dying on the ground the wail and yell.

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140 THE- SONG OF ROLAND

Might keep within his spirit a memory of voe.
It was indeed a battle that was hard to undergo.
To Apollo and Mahomet and Termagant each one

Cried the Emir:

" Ah, my lord gods ! your service have I done
But over well. Your images shall of fine gold be made.
Against the Emperor Charlemagne protect me and bear aid."

But now bis friend Oemalfin came forth before the King
Very evil were the tidings that with him he did bring.

He cried:

" Lord Baligant, this day ill hast thou led the host,
For thy son Malprimis to thee among the foes is lost.
And Canabeu thy brother is slaughtered in the fray.
And for the two French champions fairly hath gone the day.
That one was the King Charlemagne most certainly I deem.
Big-bodied like a warden of th e marches did he seem. [helm.

His beard is white as an April flower." Baligant bowed tbs
And thereafter hid hia visage. Such grief did overwhelm
The Emir that he thought forthwith to die of misery.
Jangleu he summoned to him, the man from oversea.

CCLVI " Ho Jangleu," said the Amiral, " Stand forth before

me now.
Exceeding great is thy wisdom, and a gallant man art thou.
By thy counsels at all seasons 'tis my custom to abide
Betwixt the Franks and Arabs what think'st thou shall betide?
Shall we triumph in this battle P"

The other answer gave:
" Dead art thou, Baligant ! Thy gods thy life they cannot

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 141

Brave ia King Charles and {gallant are all his men of war.
So fierce a race of fighters I have not seen before.
But now the knights of Occiant and the Turks do thou com-
E nfroDS, Arabians, Giants now gather to thy hand. [mand.

Delay no more the matter that thou shouldst be about."

CCLVII His beard above his bymie the Amiral shook out;
As any hawthom-fiower the goodly beard was white.
Whate'er befell, in no way would he hide him in the fight.
And to his mouth thereafter he set a trumpet clear.
And loud he blew upon it that the heathen host might hear.
And through the field of battle he rallied his array.
Loud did the men of Occiant in answer bray and neigh,
And all the men of Argoille like dogs did yelp and bark.
They feU upon the Frenchmen in very madness stark. [broke,
Rij^t through the thickest of them the Faynims burst and
And a fall seven thousand fell dead before their stroke.

CCLVIII Never had the Count Ogier been touched by dread
Than he a better vassal ne'er put on battle-gear. [or fear.

When he beheld the columns of the Frenchmen broken throu^,
To Thierry Duke of Argone and to Geoffrey of Anjou
And Count Josseran he shouted. Proudly to Charlemagne
He spake:

" Of these same Faynims see how thy men are slain.
In God's sight 'twill not be pleasing that thy head should wear

a crown.
If so be it that thou smit'st not to avenge this ill-renown."

They said no word but hard they spurred; they let the

horses go,
And went to smite wherever they might come upon the foe.

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142 THE SONG OP ROLAND

CCLIX Ogier the Dane and Cbarlemagne well the great

strokes laid on.
And Neimes and Geoffrey of Anjou that bore the gonfalon.
,.-'-;^Ogier the Dane in all things a hero good was he.

He spurred the steed beneath him, and let him gallop free.
On him irho bore the Dragon he let drive a buffet dread.
Down to the earth before him he hurled Lord Amboire dead.
And the banner of King Baligant in that hour came to ground.
And Baligant beheliTil fall, and the ensign of Mahound -
Without a man to guard it.-'liikhiajieart he saw it plain
How wickedgeafi_irfls.iUL.hi8_ side jind theri^t wilK^harle-
Those Paynims of Arabia less furiously did ride, [magne.,^

And the Emperor raised up his voice, and to the Frenchmen

cried:

"Speak, lords! Will ye aid me for God's love?" The

Franks their answer gave :

** Thou askest ill. Who smites not with his whole strength

is a knave,"

CCLX Xow all the day passed over, and nearer came the

night.
The Frenchmen and the Paynims with the sword they fought

the fight.
They were very gallant captains that joined those host» of war.
The memory of their war-cries they had not g^ven o'er.
Baligant called on Precious, but the far-famous cry
Mountjoy cried Charles, And each knew each by the clear
voice and high.
And now those two encountered amidmost of the field, [shield
And charged, and either other smote upon the rose-wrought
With the lances. And the targets broke beneath the buckles
The fringes of the hauberks they rended from the side. [wide.

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THE SONG OF BOLAND 148

Neither pierced the other's body, but either broke his girth.

The saddles turned. They staggered, and fell unto the earth.

To their feet very swiftly arose those angry lords,

And in most gallant manner thej got them to their swords.

There cannot be an ending hereafter of this fray.

They cannot cease from battle till one the other slay.

CCLXI A gallant man was Charles of France, the lovely land
In no way did the Amiral feel any doubt or fear. [and dear.

And either of the heroes lifted up the naked glaive.
On the shield each to the other the dreadful buffets gave.
And they cut through the two-fold wood and through the folds

of hide.
Flew the nails, and into pieces fdl the buckles far and wide.
Then smiting on the hauberks breast against breast they came.
Out of the 6ery helmets flew up the sparks of flame.
So furious a battle could not endure for long.
Behoved one or the other there to confess his wrong.

CCLXU Said Baligant :

" £ing Charlemagne look well to thine intent.
Take counsel of thy wickedness unto me to repent.
My son within the battle I deem that thou didst slay.
And wrongly now thou seekest my realm to take awaj^
Become my liegeman; for a fief I will ^ve my realm to thee.
From here unto the Orient my vassal shalt thou be,"
And Charlemagne gave answer:

" Right evil words are these.
I owe not to a Paynim either true love or peace'.

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144 THE SONG OF HOLAND

Re'fcewe now tlw salvatioa ffXUi.otGtid.a,\!pve,

Etco the law^f Jesus Christ, and thee I stiU will love.

Serre and trust the Ejng Almighty!"

' ~ ""TToB are most evil words,"
Said Baligant. Then fell they on withTfcëtéen cOtliug spuiils".'

CCLXIU The Amiral in all things was of excelling might,
And through the brown steel helmet of the Emperor did he

smite.
Upon his head the helmet was broken through and rent.
Even through the fine locks of his hair fell the blade in its

descent.
Of fiesh a handsbreadth good and more away the sword did

tear.
On the place whereon it lighted, naked was the bone and hare.
Reding and near to falling was the King Charlemagne.
But God willed not in that hour that he should be ta'en or slain.
~,^ïAnd then unto the Emperor in haste Saint Gabriel sped.

"What dost thou, King most mighty?'* to him the angel

said.

CCLXIV When of the holy angel Charlemagne the voice did
He had no dread of dying, and knew not any fear. [hear,

And strength of mind and body anew in him awoke. [stroke.

On the Emir with the blade of France he smote a dreadful
The helm where flamed the jewels with that buffet did he crush,
He clove the head in sunder, and out the brains did gush ;
And straight through the man's visage to the beard that was

so white
Beyond all hope or question stone dead he did him smite.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 145

And that hia men might know him, "MountjoyP' he shouted

high.
At the word Duke Neîmes hastened and to the King drew nigh,
And brought the steed. King Charlemagne leaped upon

Tençendor.

Tbe Paynims turned. God would not that they should tarry

... more.

And now the Franks have won the bo<m for which they had

implored.

CCLXV The Paynims fled according to the will of God the

Lord.
The Franks pursued, and with them the Emperor did go.
Spake the King:

" Ho now, my barons ! Take vengeance for your woe.
Achieve your whole desire, and in your hearts be glad.
For it was but this morning I beheld you weeping sad."
Said the Franks :

" Sire, let us do the deed." And each began to slay,
Even as he might. But a remnant of the Paynims got away.

CCLXVI Fierce was the heat and clouds of dust rose upwards

to the hei^t.
And the FiankB. pressed the Pa3rnim8 most fiercely in their
Even unto Saragossa the pursuit did not relent. {fiight —

To the summit of her tower Queen Bramimonde she went.
And clerks and priests of the false law God loves not witii her
They have no ordination or tonsure on the head. [sped.

When she beheld the Arabs into such confusion thrown,
She hastened unto Marsile, and shrieking made it known:

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146 THE SONG OF SOLÂND

** Mahomet aid ! Ah, gentle King, our hoat is smitten amain.
And in very great dishonor the Amiral is slain."

When Marsile heard the tidings he turned unto the wall.
And hid his face, and bitterly his tears began to fall.
Weighed down with sin and shamefullness he died there of bis
And the etem^ fiends of Hell g o thd d upon Lis soul: fdole.

CCLXVU Thus slaia were all the Pajnims, save those who

^away.
And Charlemagne the Emperor hath conquered in the fray.
In Saragossa city the gates were battered down;
But the Enqieror knew surely that defenseless was the town.
He took the place. He entered with his war-host in his might.
There the King and all his army laid him down to sleep that

night.
Exceeding proud was Charlemagne with the white beard in that
Queen Bramimonde surrendered unto him every tower. [hour.
There ten great towers and fifty of lesser note did stand.
Well endeth his adventure that is succored of God's hand.

CCLXVnZ And now the day was over, and on the ni^t-

time came.
And clear ihe moon was shining, and the stars were flashing

flame.
""X The Kmg bad ta'en Saragossa. A thousand men around

He liÊîdêlharcE^ through town and temple and the mansions of

Mahound.
With the axes that they carried, and with the iron maul.
They smote Mahound, and shattered his idols one and all,

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 147

That sorcery and f^sehood, no longer might remain.
The Sing loved God. His service to accomplish was he fain.
The bishops blessed the water. T*"* ^"J^ïm ff^'^ *^''7 bring
To KapHam iiAnd if f i ny ht i i' "\ i 'i -y-rît-^'r— ff rgj
Or burned, or *'ff"g»^i "' n1niiglit.wi4 wlHi -ttn» ^arp'iwiinl

iras, he then.
At that time were there baptized an hundred thousand men, '^
True Christians all; all save the Queen that captive did depart
To lovely France. The King desired God's love should change

her heart.

CCLXrX And the long ni^t passed over, and brightly

broke the day.
Charles garrisoned the towers with the men of his array,
He left a thousand cavaliers behind hi m, prov ed and bold.
In the'^mperor's name the city to govern and to hold.
And ^e Kng and all his barons got quickly on the steed*
And Bramimonde, a captive, in the army did they lead,
But he intended nothing save good unto the dame.
In gallantry and glory along their way they came.
In their strength and in their power they passed Narhonne the
And hastened unto Bordeaux the city of renown. [town.

And there upon the altar of brave Saint Severin's shrine
He set the horn of Roland filled with golden pieces fine.
The pilgrims have beheld it that to the place have gone.
He passed'the Gir onde river in the great ships thereon.
Unto Blaye h e brought his nephew, likewise his comrade good.
Even Olivier, and Turpin that had such hardihood
And wisdom. And he laid the lords in sepulchres of white.
In the church of Saint Romanus lieth each gallant knight.

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148 THE SONG OF ROLAND

To God and the Holy Names the FtailIu their ipirits did

commend.
Throu{^ the mountains and the valley King Charlemagne did

wend.
For nothing vould he tarry till he came to Aiz tiie town.
He rode till at his stairway from the charger he got down.
And when at last the King was come into his hij^built hall
Forthwith he summoned to him his judges one and all.
From Bavaria and Saxony and Friesland and Lorraine.
He summoned them of Burgundy, and them of Alamain,
F oiteveins, Normana, Bretons, and every wisest man
In the realm of France, and the trial of Ganelon began.

^n

CCLXX Back from the Spanish Marches returned King

Charlemagne
To Aix the fairest city in the land of France again.
He mounted in his palace unto his chamber fair,
And Aude the lovdiy lady came forth unto him there.
She spake unto the Emperor:

'* Count Roland where is he.
That to take me for his wedded wife plighted his troth to me?"
And Charles was filled with sorrow and heaviness of heart.
He plucked his beard, and from his eyes the tears began to

start:
" Thou askest me, dear sister, of one that doth not live.
Another and a better unto thee I wiD give.
It is Louis — and a better there is not found in France.
He is my son, and my domains are his inheritance."
And Aude rephed unto him :

" What monstrous words are these ! _
Grod and His Saints and Angels in no way would it please

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THE SONG OF ROLAND

That after Roland's passing I yet on earth should dwell.

Her color âed and suddenly at the King's feet she fell, .
And perished. "Saw her spirit God in His grace receive !
Wept all the Prankish barons and sorely did they grieve.

CCLXXI Nov Lady Aude the beautiful the end of life had

found.
The Emperor thought within him that she was but in a swound,
And his heart was ailed with pity, and sore he wept for pain.
And in his arms he took her, and raised her up again.
But aye upon her shoulders drooped the fair lady's head.
And when the King beheld it that she verily was dead.
Four countesses he summoned. To a nunnery was she borne.
And all the night they watched her till the breaking of
And underneath an altar they wrought her sepulchre, [moi
And with exceeding honor the King let bury her.

CCLXXII Now to Aix returned the Emperor. Ganelon tiie

traitor hound
Was there before the palace in chains of iron bound.
There to a stake that villain in shameful guise they tied.
His hands were girded stoutly with thongs of red-deer hide.
And nobly did they beat him with the ox-yoke and the stave.
But he deserved no other than the measure that they gave.
So in exceeding anguish for his trial did he wait.

CCLXXIII It is written in the ancient book these deeds that

doth r^te
That Charlemagne unto him men of many lands did call.
At Aix within the chapel they gathered one and alL

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160 THE SONG OF ROLAND

The feast vas very glorious. It was the holy day
Of Saint Silvester the good lord, by that which many say.
And then began the trial, and abroad did rumor run
Concerning Ganelon the Count the treason that had done.
The Emperor before him the prisoner bade them bring.

CCLXXIV " Lord barons," to the judges said Charlemagne

the King,
** Concerning the Count Ganelon make now a just decree.
He marched amid mine army to the land of Spain with me.
And twenty thousand Frenchmen he caused them to be slain.
And Roland my good nephew whe»-ynK!*er shall see again,
And Olivier, moreover, the courteous and the bold,
And the twelve peera this traitor for filthy lucre sold."

Said Ganelon :

" An I gainsaid, I would be a traitor strong.
But in gold asiA in possession Roland did me grievgi^ Wl'png.
Therefore did I desire his death' and hisjJÏHtress ;
But~Uiat the thing was treason! never will confess."

Said the Franks in answer ; " Counsel we now will take

thereon."

CCLXXV Before the King there might ye see the great
Count Ganelon.
And gallant was his body, and his face was fair of hue.
Well had he been a baron good, had he been leal and true.
On the Franks and on the judges Ganelon turned his eye,
And on thirty of his kinsmen that unto him stood nigh.
And then in a loud voice and high unto them he did shout :
" For the love of God I pray you, ye barons, hear me out.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 151

I was in tbe King's army and served him faithfully
And in all love. But Roland his nephew hated me.
And therewithal he plotted how in great pain I should die. .
Therefore unto King Marsile embassador was I,
And only by my wisdom did I hap my life to save.
And I defied Count Roland, the stalwart and the brave.
And Olivier and, likewise, all the comrades of their train —
These noble barons heard it, and the King Charlemagne — ~^ ^_,
I venged myself. But treason — I wot i t was not so." \

And the Franks spake in answer: " To counsel let us go."

CCLXXVI When Ganelon saw his trial how it began apace,
There were thirty of his kinsmen that he summoned in the place.
And one there was to whose command the others hearkened well.
From S orence the fair castle was the Lord Finabd.
Well could he talk and clearly speak forth his thouj^t aright.
And he was brave and skillful with his weapons in the fight.
" I trust thee, friend," unto him Count Ganelon did say,
" Free me from this shame of trial and the risk of death this

And Pinabel gave answer: [day."

" Well defended shalt thou be.
Nor is there any Frenchman that to hang condenmeth thee,
(If the £mperor to fight the man will grant me and accord)
But I will give the lie to him with the sharp edge of the sword."

And at the feet of Pinabel feU the Count Ganelon.

CCLXXVn The Bavarians and Saxons to the CouncO got

them gone.
There were Franks and men of Normandy and likewise of

Poitou.
And of Germans and Thediscans a-many thither drew.

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ISS THE SONG OF ROLAND

They of Auverg ne were soft of heart. Because of Pinabel
They kept them close. Said each to each :

** To let it rest were well.
Let close the trial ; to Charlemagne now let us make this prayer
That Ganelon acquitted for this time he declare.
Let him then serve the Emperor in true lore and in faith.
Ye will never see Count Roland, for hia head is low in death.
For gold and gear h e cannot bring back the Marquis more.
Tis a fool that undertaketh to take up this gage of war,"
Was none within the CouncO but granted it was true
r Save Thierry that was brother of Lord Geoffrey of Anjou.

CCLXXVIII The barons went to Charlemagne, and said:

" Sire, hear our prayer.
Coont-G^elon acquitted for this time do thtra declare.
And do thou let him serve thee in true love faithfully.
Give him his life, for certainly a goodly man is he.
Rolaiid is daad. Upon him we shall not look again.
Nor win him back with treasure."

Then the King Charimagne
Answered and said unto them : " Ye are villains all indeed."

CCLXXIX When the King saw that all of them had foiled
him in his need.
Then his countenance and visage on his breast he bended low,
And called himself a caitiffj n the torment of his woe.
But lo ! the good knight Thierry unto the King he drew,
Even he that was the brother' of Duke Geoffrey of Anjou;

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THE SONG OF HOLAND 1S8

I<eaii was the man of body, and exceeding thin and spare.
And d«rk was Thierry's countenance, and coal-black was his
Not orer large in stature, nor yet of little height. [hair.

He spake unto the Emperor like a very courteous knight :

" My fair Lord King, now let not thine anger rise so strong.
Thou knowest well already that I have served thee long.
This trial in my forbears' right is mine to pass upon.
Whatsoever the Count Roland did unto Ganelon,
Thy service should have been to him a strong defence and aid,
And a traitor is Count Ganelon, that Roland thus betrayed.
He has perjured him before thee, and treason wrouj^t most
Therefore it i» my judgment that he be hanged and die, [high.
And that his body also suffer shame and torture both.
Like unto any traitor a villainy that doth.
And if to me shall give the lie a kinsman of his blood, [good."
With the blade that I have girded will I make my judgment
And all the Franks gave answer : " Nov bast thou spoken

weU."

CCLXXX Now unto the King Charlemagne came forward

Finabel.
' Great was the man, and mighty, and swift and strong in hrar.
And he to whom he dealt a stroke, his time of life was o'er.
He said unto the Emperor :

" This trial is for thee,
Oh King ; give orders straightway that no more tumult be,
TJiierry hath given judgment. I say that he has lied;

I wiU fight:*— -^ --

He put on his right fist the glove of red-deer hide.
Said the King then :

" The hostages of the trial give me now."
Therewith the thirty kinsmen gave in their pledge and vow.

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164 THE SONG OF ROLAND

" I will give thee pledges also," said the Emperor thereon,
And he caused them to be guarded till justice should be done.

CCLXXXI When Thierry well had seen it that the fight he
Boon must voge,
He gave unto the Emperor his right-hand glove for gage.
And pledges for his warrant the Emperor gave o'er.
And at the word of Charlemagne they brought in benches four;
And thereon did they seat them who were to fight the fight.
In the eyes of all men present is the trial meet and right —
Ogier it was of Denmark that for all this took heed.
And now each champion shouted for his armor and his steed.

CCLXXXII When at last unto the battle within the lists

they came,
Wdl they confessed and were absolved and blessed in God His
And Mass they heard, and also Conmiunion did receive, [name.
And to the monasteries great offerings did they leave. [spur.
Forth went the twain to Charlemagne. On the heel was set the
They wore the milk-white hauberks, so light and strong that
Their helmets shut and shining their faces did enfold. [were.

Their swords were girded on them with hilts of the pure gold.
About their necks the champions their quartered bucklers wore.
And likewise in their good right hands the sharpened lances

bore.
And thereupon they mounted on the chargers swift and proud.
An hundred thousand cavaliers began to weep aloud,
Wha be«sase of the Count .Bnland were sad for_Thie)j:j;U-«ake.
God knoweth thereof certainly what end tlie fight will take.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 166

CCLXXXm Hard under Aiz the city there is a mighty lea.
And there of the two barons the battle was to be.
Gallant were both the heroes, and fleet the chargers twain.
And either champion spurred his steCd* md dropped his bridle-
rein.
In valor and great courage, each against the other dashed.
Right through the rival bucklers the rushing lancea crashed.
And broken were the hauberks, and broken either girth.
The can tos of the saddles fell down unto the earth,
Tliere were an hundred thousand wept loudly at this si^t.

CCLXXXIV Now unto earth hath fallen from his charger

either knight.

And forthwith very swiftly they got them to their feet.

A stalwart man was Pinabel, and a very light and fleet.

And the one sought out the other ; no chargers needed they.

With the blades with hilts of the pure gold they smote and

hacked away,

On the steel helms. And the great strokes the helms were like

to cleave.

And toud the Frankish cavaliers because of it did grieve.

" Ah God,** said the King Charlemagne, " The right now make

it known."

CCLXXXV Said Finabel:

" Ho, Thierry, thine error do thou own.

In true love and in honor thy liegeman will I be.

I will give my whole possession at thy pleasure unto thee.

Bi4 the peace of the Count Ganelon with thç Suiperoi du tJiou

And Thierry answered : [make."

"Never such a counsel wiH I take.

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\^ 156 THE SONG OP ROLAND

If I did it, for a villaiti vould I evermore be ta'en.

But God shall make His judgment this day betveen lu twain.**

CCLXXXVI SaidThierrj:

** A good baron art thou* Pinafapl.

Thy strength is great exceeding, and thy body fashioned well.
And all thy peers have known thee for a very valiant kni^t.
But do thou now give over from fighting out the 6ght.
With the King will I accord thee. On Ganelon shall they wreak
Such vengeance, not a day shall pass but men thereof shall

And Finabel gare answer: [speak.**

** God's will is not therein.
I wfll not .cease to comfort and to sustain my kin.
And surely I will never to mortal man give place.
Better it were to perish than, to softer such disgrace."

Wtdi the good swords they began to beat on the hdmets
wrought with gold.
Unto the sky went flashing the bright sparks manifoldj ^^
Now was there none could part them in the madness of tile fray.
Now it will not he over till one the other slay.

CCLXXXVn Now Pinabel of Sorence was of excelling
On the Provençal helmet of Thierry did he smite. [might.

The flame leaped from the helmet and set fire unto the sward. _
He struck against his foeman with the sharp point of the

sword.
And away from Thierry's forehead all of the helm he clave.
And right before his visage descended the sharp glaive.

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THE SONG OF ROLAND 157

All his Tight cheek was bleeding, and his hauberk slashed in

twain.

To the waist. . But God pwrfjwrfawl tn'ni, ^j}/^ Thierry WUH not"^' "

slain.

CCLXXXVm And Thierry knew that sorely was he smitten

in the face,
And that his blood was falling on the green grass in the place,
And upon the brown steel helmet he smote Lord Finabel. (

Through the nasal of the helmet the cleaving sword-blade fell.
And therewith ibe brain of Finabel went gushing from his head.
High, Thierry shook his sword aloft, apji.. smote tiie champion
T herewithal t he bitter battle in that hour had he won. [deiCd.
Cried all the Franks : ' ' '

" A miracle the Lord our Grod hath done !
It is meet and right that Ganelop .dlQldd^ftow, be hanged on

, ' ■' " ^gV

r And likewise all his kinsmen that pled for him shall die.** \ > _

CCLXXXIX Now when the champion Thierry had conquered

in the fray,
With barons four to Charlemagne the King he made his way.
Ogier the Dane and Neimes brought him the King unto,
And likewise William, Lord of Blaye, and Geoflfrey of Anjou.
Then did the Emperor C3iarleroagne Thierry the knight em-
brace.
With his robe of marten-fur he wiped the blood from off his

face.
He doffed the robe. Another they cast his shoulders o'er.
Gently fnmi the brave champion they took the gear of war.

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168 THE SONG OF ROLAND

And then they set the hero on a mule of Araby.
And back they rode unto the town in chivalry and glee.
They came to Aiz the city, and descended there each one.
And the slau^ter of the others thereafter was begun.

CCXC And then unto his counts and dukes the Emperor
Charlemagne said:
" What judge ye of œy-pnwuieiB fox Qanelon that pled*
And their bodies for Lord Finabel as Hostages did give?"
And the Franks spake in answer: "Let not any of them live.**

Unto his sheriff Basbrun the Emperor did call :
" Go ! unto that accursed tree see that thou hang them all.
And by this beard whereof ^e hair is all so ^oar a nd white,
If one escape, on thee the thing with death I will requite."
And Basbrun spake in answer:

" What other can I more?"
With an hundred sergeants by main force the men away he bore.
And there were thirty of them. He haiiged-lhem_there_and

thenTT
He who betrayeth, aye he slayeth himself and other men.

CCXCI Thereafter all the Germans and Bavarians withdrew,
The Bretons and the Normans, and the liegemen of Poitou.
But more than all the others the men of France were fain
That GaneloQ should perish in exceeding grievous pain.
They brought four steeds, and unto them they bound his hands

and feet.
Haughty were all the stallions, and very swift and fleet..
Before the steeds to guide them, four servitors did fare.
And straight into a meadow wherein there grazed a mare,

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THE SOKG OF HOLAND 169

Unto horrible destruction Count Ganeloo was sent.
The nerves of the man's body unutterably were rent.
And every limb and member from the trunt away was wrenched.
And the flood of his clear life-blood the fair green herbage

drenched.
Thus Ganelon came to his death like to a traitor strong.
It is not meet that traitors should boast them in thdr wrong.

CCXCH When Charlemagne the Emperor vengeance at last
The Bishops of Bavaria and France and Alamain [had ta'en.
He summoned: '

" In my palace a captive free doth dwell.
To sermons and fair parables the dame hath hearkened well.
For Christianity she prayeth. On our God she doth believe.
Baptize ye. now that Lady that Giod her soul receive."

" Then give unto her sponsors," they answered and replied.
Enough there were of ladies of noble race and pride.
There came great press of people to the baths of Aix amain.
By the name of Ju liana jhfy hpp*i-"^ «■^- «jjnii » nf flpwin V~ '

Anil a>igTitfWnitf-it I :i)r{atJiiTi mnat imlj^JA rrniff»', [distreSS,

When the King had done his justice, appeased was his
In the way of our Christianity Queen Bramimonde had gone.
But now the day passed over and calm the night came on.
And in his vaulted chamber the King lay down to rest,
When to him the Angel Gabriel appeared at God's behest:
" To the hosts of aïl thine empire, Lord Emperor give

command.
Go forth with mi^t and power into the Libyan land.
With succor to King Vivien of faiphè shalt thou ride.
The city that the Fayuims have besieged on every side.

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160 THE SONG OF BOLAND

Where the Quistians call upon thee."

Little the King was fain.

** Ah God my life i« weary," said the Emperor Charlemagne.

He plucked the white beard hard. The tears down from his

eyes they sprang,

And so the great song endeth of the deeds that Therould saog.

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Adieu Barons alez voirs que vos amis font Deo Gracias
Le livre des XII pairs est cy finis
Don Louënge a la Saint Trinité.

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NOTES TO SONG OF ROLAND

Laisse LXXVT. The line reading : "And likewise the Lord
Olivier who ruleth in his stead" contains an idea not found in
the origÎBat. Literally the line should be rendered thus : "The
Lord Olivier who commands the others."

Laisse LXXIX. That Chaucer was familiar with the story
of Roncevauz goes without saying. His occasional use of the
name Ganelon as a synonym for traitor would be sufficient
proof, if proof were needed. There is, however, strong pre-
sumptive evidence that he was well acquainted with the Song
of Roland.

Certain details in the description of Val Neire (the Black
Valley) correspond rather remarkably with the Chaucer's
account of

" the derke valeye '

• • • •

Ther never yet grew com ne gras,
Ne tre, ne no thyng that ought was."

This passage is found in the Death of Blanche the Duchess
(lines 156-168 Globe edition) and might, considered by itself,
be explained as a mere accidental resemblance, but when in lines
1120-1128 of the same poem we come on

" the false Genellon
He that purchased the treson
Of Rowland and of Olyvere."

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19é NOTES TO SONG OF ROLAND

the circumstancea necessary to such an explanation are ind^-
nitelj cmnplicated. I do not think that this faint indication of
the direction of Chaucer's Uterary pilgrimage has been observed
heretofore.

Laisse CLXVU. Tlie line reading: "He put great force
upon him. And on his feet he got" is supplied from the V^ietian
manuscript.

Laisse CLXXm. The line reading : "And in his hand the
naked brand, even Durendal, he held" is supplied from the
Venetian manuscript.

Laisse CCXXXIV. The line reading: "Of whom was Judas
that betrayed his God in sin and shame" is supplied from the
Venetian manuscript.

Laisse CCXL. The line reading : "Gigantic was the army
that there its way did hold" is supplied from the Venetian

ript.

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